How far the perceptions of 14-16 year olds attending a Pupil Referral Unit fit with a model of future oriented motivation and proximal self-regulation conceptualised by Miller and Brickman (2004)

Rowland, Hannah (2011) How far the perceptions of 14-16 year olds attending a Pupil Referral Unit fit with a model of future oriented motivation and proximal self-regulation conceptualised by Miller and Brickman (2004). Lancaster University.

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Abstract

This qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews, investigates the perceptions of eight year 10 and 11 students attending a Pupil Referral Unit. The study explores how far the young people’s perceptions of their educational engagement and motivation can be understood and explained within the framework of a motivational model proposed by Miller and Brickman (2004), which brings together research on future oriented motivation and proximal self-regulation. Several of the young people’s responses point to a particular disruption in their self-regulatory learning processes, resulting from a disconnect between their personally valued future goals and their perceptions of the instrumentality of their education. The underlying reasons for this disconnect are considered and it is proposed that interventions seeking to enhance the students’ capacity to be goal directed in their learning and in how they think about the future could help overcome the issues identified. The study concludes that the Miller and Brickman (2004) model provides a framework that facilitates the mapping of factors underpinning individuals’ motivational patterns. Furthermore, its strong theoretical basis provides the opportunity to explore in depth possible reasons for these patterns.