ABSTRACT
The purpose of this introductory chapter is to provide an overview to and discussion of the chapters in this section on mastery motivation and self-regulation. The focus of the introduction is on the area of research known as mastery motivation, which is different but related to the concepts of effectance motivation, intrinsic motivation, and achievement motivation. This introduction begins with a brief historical review of the concept of mastery motivation because the concept is quite different from that of self-regulation, which may be more familiar to readers of this handbook. Then, we discuss several de nitions of the concept and three methods, mentioned in the other chapters in this section, for measuring mastery motivation: free play, structured tasks, and a paper and pencil inventory, the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ). The strengths and limitations of each of these methods are discussed brie y. Finally, after providing an overview of and comments on each of the chapters, we conclude with an extended discussion of future needs for research in this area and how mastery motivation relates to self-concept and self-regulation.
