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Article Title: An Application of the Self-Determination Theory - Academic Motivations of the First-Year University Students for Two Successive Years
by Yaman Koseoglu

Abstract:
The Self-Determination Theory argues that motivation is a function of the ability of the individual to regulate his/her activities intrinsically, extrinsically or in an amotivated fashion. This theory has found widespread acceptance in almost all fields of endeavor including education. For measuring the extent of the Self Determination Theory in education, the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) was constructed. This application borrows from the theory the three levels - intrinsic, extrinsic and amotivation, all measurable by AMS. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the academic motivations of the two separate populations of the first- year- students using this scale. Statistical procedures such as descriptive statistics, ANOVA and t-tests were used for analyzing data. The effects of gender, different faculties and different years are explored. As the results indicate that students are more oriented towards external stimulations than the intrinsic values, conversion of such a mind-set to intrinsic self-regulation is recommended.

Keywords: intrinsic, extrinsic, amotivation , self-determination , academic motivation scale

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