Sociocultural and ecological perspectives on achievement motivation

Research on achievement motivation has mostly focused on the importance of the proximal context. As a result, the roles of more distal sociocultural and ecological factors have been neglected. However, motivation does not occur within a social vacuum; it is embedded within pervasive environments, including the broader culture (values, beliefs, and norms) and social ecology (economic and political systems, interpersonal environments, and physical environment). This article argues for the critical need to include sociocultural and ecological perspectives in motivation research. More specifically, the aims are to (a) justify why cultural and ecological perspectives are needed, (b) present a tentative conceptual framework that could account for the critical roles of sociocultural and ecological factors that underpin motivation and learning, and (c) proffer recommendations on how to study culture and ecology within the field of achievement motivation research.

Automated summary

Research on achievement motivation should integrate sociocultural and ecological perspectives, as motivation is influenced by culture and environments. This article proposes a conceptual framework and recommendations for studying culture and ecology in the field of achievement motivation research to explain their critical roles in motivation and learning.