EXTRINSIC REGULATION VS. INTRINSIC MOTIVATION AS PREDICTORS OF PROFESSIONAL CHOICE SATISFACTION IN AGRICULTURE STUDY PROGRAMS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive power of different types of academic motivation (especially, extrinsic vs. intrinsic) for students’ satisfaction with their professional choice. The study was conducted at Aleksandras Stulginskis University in Lithuania. 175 first-year students from agriculture study programs completed the Academic Motivation Scale and evaluated their satisfaction with professional choice in a 10-point scale. The results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that intrinsic motivation has a significant predictive value for professional choice satisfaction of males and females. The results indicated that material external regulation negatively in males sample and social external regulation positively in females’ sample predict higher satisfaction with professional choice. In addition, amotivation is associated with lower satisfaction with professional choice in both cases. Some implications and recommendations for educators regarding dual enrollment programs, Facebook opportunities, and individualized approach are discussed.

Keywords: agriculture study programs, motivation, professional choice satisfaction, students.

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2015.094