Maternal Expectancies for Achievement, IQ, and Autonomous Achievement Motivation in Kindergarten Children

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between maternal expectancies of achievement and autonomous achievement motivation in children as moderated by IQ. Subjects were 67 white kindergartners and their mothers. Autonomous achievement motivation was assessed with Veroff's resumption technique, and IQ was measured by the Kuhlman-Anderson Intelligence Test. Mothers' expectancies for achievement were obtained through home interviews using an adaptation of the Parental Development Timetable. Moderated regression analyses indicated a significant interaction for maternal expectancies of achievement and children's IQs. A bivariate regression plot indicated that under conditions of low maternal expectancies, children with high IQs express greater autonomous achievement motivation than children with lower IQs. No differences were found between the two groups of children for conditions of high maternal expectancies.