Submission Date

4-28-2025

Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Department

Education

Adviser

Seamus Mulryan

Committee Member

Jennifer Frymiare

Committee Member

John Spencer

Department Chair

John Spencer

Project Description

This paper evaluates psychological principles regarding human motivation. My background in psychology and education fostered my interest in how we can make school more motivating by changing the school environment. I wanted to understand how psychological theories approaches motivation and how those ideas can be applied in today’s educational system, which is facing a crisis concerning student motivation. I used Rogers and Neill to guide my understanding of humanistic psychology and multiple works from Skinner to inform my understanding of behavioral psychology. Throughout my evaluation of these theories, it became clear that ideas situated in between these theories might produce the most effective changes. This theory is Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory. I used self-determination theory as a framework to support suggestions I have for making a more motivating school environment. I argue that approaching education with the suggestions I have outlined will foster more intrinsic forms of motivation within students. I conclude with a discussion around possible challenges I foresee would arise if my ideas are implemented within schools.

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