Mastery Motivation in School Subjects in Hungary and Taiwan
Mastery Motivation in School Subjects in Hungary and Taiwan

Summary/Abstract: This study focuses on the school related dimensions of mastery motivation. The Subject Specific Mastery Motivation Questionnaire (SSMMQ), recently developed in Hungary, measures persistence in trying to master six school domains (reading, math, science, English language, music, and art) and overall mastery pleasure in school. Each scale includes 6 Likert items. The total score of the six school subject scales is called school mastery motivation. The SSMMQ was translated into Chinese. The goal of this study was to compare Hungarian and Taiwanese students’ subject specific mastery motivation. Participants in the cross-sectional study were 1359 Hungarian and 623 Taiwanese school children from grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the theoretical structure of the questionnaire in both countries. Each of the seven scales and the total scale had high reliabilities in Hungary and in Taiwan. The relations among the domains were stronger in younger ages. There were significant age differences in each of the domain specific mastery motivation scales. In both countries, academic mastery motivation significantly decreased between grades 4 and 8. The Hungarian students rated themselves significantly higher than did the Taiwanese. The results were generally consistent with the literature. Implications for further research and school practice are discussed.

• Details
• Contents