Abstract

An issue widely discussed in current literature regarding the theoretical and empirical domains, deals with the nature of achievement motivation. This study focuses on motivational factors which characterise development, such as representations of intelligence, goals of achievement and controllability of effort. In particular, the aim of this research is to create a multimedial instrument to measure motivational factors such as personal conceptions of intelligence, achievement goals and perception of controllability based upon Dweck's research. In our study we examined 512 children between 8,8 and 10,6, distributed according to their gender, sociocultural status and school performance. The results of factor analysis show the existence of two factors, incremental/dynamic and entity/static. Moreover, results obtained underline differences in conceptions of intelligence, achievement goals and perception of controllability in relation to age and socio-cultural level. Moreover, differences have to be found on what concerns the motivational factors linked to school performance.