Main -> In the Classroom: Educational Psychology -> Motivation Reflection Activities

Reflecting on and experiencing your own motivation. Cohen’s (1984) experimental study was intended to not only demonstrate and enhance knowledge of intrinsic motivation in the elementary and secondary classrooms, but to motivate students themselves in educational psychology. Cohen used three activities to achieve these goals. For example, students were asked to describe goals for their educational psychology class and about a past learning situation that was exceptionally motivating. They then engaged in a 10-minute highly structured, yet ambiguous, tension causing activity. Students then contrasted (in group discussion) the two activities. The instructor facilitated the discussion to illuminate the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

Cohen, M. W. (1984). Enhancing motivation in educational psychology. Teaching of Psychology, 11, 214-217.

To access this article: [STP members: Access this article on line. Log in to the STP website, then click here. Not a member of STP? Click here to join.]