Six Motivational Reasons For Low School Achievement Essay Example

The aim of Steven Reiss’s 2009 study “Six Motivational Reasons for Low School Achievement” was the determination of motivational cause for low academic progress of children in school. The researcher describes several reasons of low achievement at school. Among reasons of low achievement at school can be the fear of mishap, the lack of curiosity or ambitions, as well as, lack of duties, and aggression. Each student of junior or senior high school has a basic access to motivational reasons, provided by the Reiss School Motivation Profile. The reasons have different ways of implementation. (Reiss, p. 219)
At the beginning of the article, the author explains that the last 10 years he together with his associates dedicated to the corrections of the preceding works in psychological needs. Reiss occupied himself with the consolidation of concept-based analysis of the cross functional motives, paying special attention individual distinctions in priorities. According to the author’s research, the main objective of this article is the stimulation of new ways of the academic researches on motivation in schools.
The study presents a table with the responses to the survey about 16 life motives. These data were obtained during the study six factors of participants in different geographical occurrence. Practitioners use this Reiss’s data all around the world in counseling the clients. (Reiss, p. 221)
Personally, I found this article persuasive and informative, as it provides clear data about the possible reasons of low achievement in school. For example, the researcher states that one of the causes may be the fear of mishap. Reiss explains that if the students do not try, then the fear of mishap hurts less.
The kids, who have the high level of fear, demonstrate contradictory attempts. They show diligence in light tasks, but are afraid to act when it comes to complicated tests. In addition, in a case of the criticizing from parents or teachers, they may not understand the nature of the problem.
Among other reasons of low achievement, one in particular caught my attention. Reiss named this reason as the lack of ambitions, which I found interesting. (Reiss, p. 222) According to the Reiss School Motivation Profile Power scores, the problem lies in the children's unwillingness to apply themselves.
Usually, these children have no desire to strive to hard work. They set easy tasks, avoiding complex challenges. As a result, smart students get average or below average scores. It is important to remember that these children are working at an average pace, without straining, and if teachers or parents try to get them to work harder, children may refuse to work completely. Thus, children who avoid challenging problems in school will work below their capabilities, which, eventually, can affect their career.
I think the article is well-written and directed at the appropriate audience, as it comprises facts and scales of the research data. In conclusion, Reiss states that these six motivational reasons for low school achievements can be presented as an original perspective in order to induce the new scientific researches, dedicated to the motivational studies for low school achievements. In addition, I found this article helpful for parents and teachers in a case of low attainment of children in educational institutions. References
Reiss, S. (2009). Six Motivational Reasons for Low School Achievement. Child Youth Care Forum Child & Youth Care Forum, 219-225.