Abstract:
Students’ value beliefs for subjects such as mathematics are important predictors
for their course and career choices (Wigfield, Tonks, & Klauda, 2009). Fostering
students’ value beliefs for mathematics in school is one way to address the leaking
pipeline towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) because
mathematics can be seen as a gatekeeper for STEM careers. As females are
underrepresented in many STEM disciplines compared to males and tend to show lower
motivation in related subjects, they are a particular target group for motivational
interventions in STEM. Previous intervention studies have shown that helping students
understand the value of the course material can be an effective tool to promote
motivation, achievement, and course choices in mathematics and sciences (e.g.,
Hulleman & Harackiewicz, 2009). However, a number of questions with regards to the
effects of such interventions still remain unanswered. The three empirical studies that
were conducted within this dissertation address some of these questions. Specifically,
the dissertation closely examines (a) the effectiveness of value interventions from a
multidimensional perspective on value beliefs and (b) the role of gender for value
beliefs in mathematics and how gender differences in these beliefs are affected through
value interventions.
Each of the three studies used data from an intervention project that aimed to
promote ninth grade students’ value beliefs for mathematics. Within a cluster
randomized trial, 82 classrooms were randomly assigned to one of two experimental
conditions or a waiting control condition. The intervention in both experimental
conditions consisted of a 90-minutes session on the relevance of mathematics. Two
tasks designed to foster the perceived relevance of mathematics were compared:
evaluating quotations and writing a text. To evaluate the effects of the intervention,
students’ motivation was assessed via self-reports before the intervention as well as six
weeks and five months after the intervention.
Using pretest data, Study 1 examined the dimensionality of value beliefs for
mathematics and gender differences in these beliefs. Students’ responses to a newly
developed measure of value beliefs consisting of 37 items were used to investigate how
many subfacets of value beliefs could be distinguished empirically and whether gender
differences could be found on these facets. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the
differentiation of value beliefs into a total of eleven value facets. Whereas the factor
structure was invariant across gender, considerable differences in mean levels favoring
boys were found on some but not all value facets.
Applying the newly developed instrument, Study 2 assessed the effects of the
intervention on students’ value beliefs in mathematics and the moderating role of
gender. The results suggested that both intervention conditions fostered more positive
value beliefs in mathematics up until five months after the intervention. Comparing the
two intervention conditions, the quotations condition showed stronger and more
comprehensive effects on students’ value beliefs than the text condition. Stronger
intervention effects were found for those value facets that were targeted in the
intervention. When assessing intervention effects separately by gender, evidence for
stronger effects for females than for males was found.
Exploring the multidimensional perspective on value more broadly, Study 3
investigated side effects of the intervention in math on motivation in German and
English as two verbal subjects. To examine the breadth of effects, students’ self-concept
and effort were considered as outcomes in addition to value beliefs. Negative effects on
value for German, but not for English, were found five months after the intervention.
Additionally, this study took an intraindividual difference perspective in examining
intervention effects on differences between these constructs in math, on the one hand,
and the two verbal subjects, on the other hand. It was shown that the long-term effects
on the difference between math and German value were larger than on math value
alone. However, the effects did not generalize to students’ self-concepts and effort in
the three subjects considered.
The findings of the three studies are summarized and discussed in light of the
broader research context. Implications for future research and educational practice are
derived.