My main research topic at the university is the Motivation to Learn. My research focuses on the relation between self-concept and learning. As a researcher and educator, my work consists of exploring the theoretical assumptions and confront them with the data gathered in order to improve teaching methods in different domains.
Goal-Orientation Theory
Within the so-called Cognitive Psychology, I have a special interest in the Goal-Orientation Theory. It was developed in the las decades to explain the achievement behavior, a topic of growing interest in a modern and competitive society like ours.
One of its most important findings are the three basic types of goals, namely those focused on learning, performance, and avoidance. The so-called learning goals are the most effective in many aspects. They are associated with less anxiety, better performance, effort and persistence, positive affect and interest, more engagement, help-seeking and risk-taking, and other positive attitudes.
My research and achievements
My contribution to the debate in this field was the creation of a psychological test to measure the tendency of an individual to have a healthy academic self-concept and good motivation of learning. In this way, it helps to understand and provide support and advice to students and teachers interested in focusing their attention in more effective learning strategies to be successful in professional and academic environments.
Research Agenda
I am currently working on the association among the four theoretical factors of Weiner's model (natural ability, chance/luck, effort, and difficult of task) and my own findings about the psychological mechanisms underlying the cognitive pattern and goals of learning.
I hope my long-term research will help people to overcome the gap between the researcher and the educator daily practice in different areas and environments of learning.