Motivational theories/ part 1

The Self-Efficacy Theory and and Attribution Theory are the two motivational theories that my opinion relates with the most. From my teaching experience I observe students are efficacious, they are the students that can handle challenge, they are more self motivating, and they are usually the students that will attempt a new task before giving into "learned helplessness". I notice that students who are not very efficacious are the students that want the "okay" as they are working, because they are worried that they are working incorrectly or; "Can't do it"!

The Attribution Theory relates to a persons reaction/ outcome. In my opinion the Attribution Theory gives people who are looking on the outside in (especial teachers, parents, etc) a good idea how motivated one is. After reading Understanding Student Motivation, by Timothy Seifert the article made me reflect on students I have taught in the past and the different attitudes and reactions they demonstrated regarding their outcome on assignements, spelling test report cards etc. I do see how how students reactions also has a relation with motivation and performance. For example students who usually succeed and seem most motivated are students that find their mistakes, take their time, and ask questions when they are struggling.