Social Science Motivation for Youth in Schools Today

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the impact of reinforcement, goal orientation, motivation, and classroom behavior on test performance. Results from various reinforcement studies, including the mixed methods study within this chapter, indicate high variability according to school policies, procedures, and culture. It is evident that students are able to set learning goals that accurately determine how well they will do over time. Their academic performance on tests can differ according to the amount of behavior referrals they receive during the school year. Overall, reinforcement is a recommended strategy for those in the social sciences (e.g., education, psychology, sociology, and economics), provided that it actually supports students’ instructional needs over time.