Predictors of Achievement Motivation Among Kenyan Adolescents

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of classroom climate, intelligence, home environment and socio-economic status on achievement motivation of standard eight pupils of Nairobi city, Kenya. A proportionate stratified sample of 101 boys and 99 girls constituted the study sample. Both dependent and independent variables were measured using standardized instruments. Analysis of the data using multiple regressions showed that four independent variables, viz., intelligence, classroom climate, living with relatives and number of sisters jointly and significantly contributed to the prediction of achievement motivation of standard eight pupils (R= . 429; P < . 01). The results further indicated that in terms of magnitude of contribution, intelligence turned out to be the most significant predictor (Beta = .270, t = 3.986, P < .05), followed by class room climate (Beta = .267, t = 3.965, P <.05), living with relatives (Beta = -.156, t = 2.317, P < .05) and number of sisters at home (Beta = 0.148, t = 2.172, P < .05), in the order of significance.