Year: 2009

Name: Hulleman, Chris S.

Title of dissertation: “The Role of Utility Value in the Development of Interest and Performance”

Chair of dissertation: Harackiewicz, Judith

Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Abstract:

In this dissertation, I evaluate whether helping students see the value in their coursework contributes to interest and achievement. Part 1 describes two studies that test the effectiveness of an instructional intervention to promote perceptions of utility value and interest--particularly for students with lower competence beliefs. Part 2 extends these findings by testing a long-term intervention with high school students, and then examining the motivational processes that account for the effects of the intervention. A process model of utility value effects is proposed and tested. The results demonstrate that the intervention effectively increased perceptions of utility value and interest. In addition, the hypothetical pathways of the process model were supported. Specifically, perceptions of utility value predicted topic interest, behavioral inclination, and performance. Implications for research and practice are discussed.