Value-Reappraisal and Goal-Setting Intervention Effects on Attitudes and Performance in College Statistics

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of a value-reappraisal intervention (VR) on students' motivation and performance compared to a goal-setting intervention (GS) and information-literacy control condition (C). Eighty-eight female students in an undergraduate introductory statistics course were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions. VR yielded statistically significant increases in students' intrinsic value, endogenous instrumentality, task value, and intentions to continue learning statistics, but not perceived competence. GS and C had no effects on these outcomes. For exam performance, in one course section VR benefited students with lower preintervention exam scores; there were no intervention effects on exam performance in the other section. Examined only for GS, self-reported goal progress predicted changes in perceived competence over two weeks. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.