Predicting scientific imagination from the joint influences of intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, agreeableness, and extraversion
Journal
Learning and Individual Differences
Journal Volume
31
Pages
36-42
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Chang, C.-C.
Abstract
Previous research has indicated that intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy influence the human imagination, and the personality traits of agreeableness and extraversion are significant predictors of students' attitudes toward science. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impacts of intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, agreeableness, and extraversion on the imagination of science majors. The moderating roles of agreeableness and extraversion were also examined, and the mediating influence of self-efficacy was subsequently tested. A total of 402 science majors from 6 universities across Taiwan participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was used to test all the proposed hypotheses. The results showed that self-efficacy, agreeableness, and extraversion directly affected student imagination. Both intrinsic motivation and agreeableness indirectly affected student imagination through self-efficacy. In addition, both agreeableness and extraversion moderated the influence of intrinsic motivation on the self-efficacy of science majors, and these moderating effects continually influenced student imagination through self-efficacy. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.
SDGs
Type
journal article