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Emotions as Drivers of Learning and Cognitive Development

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New Perspectives on Affect and Learning Technologies

Abstract

Emotions are ubiquitous in academic settings, yet educational research has neglected these emotions, test anxiety research and attributional studies being two notable exceptions. More research on the functions, origins, and regulation of academic emotions is needed, addressing both outcome emotions such as hope, pride, anxiety, shame, and hopelessness related to success and failure, and activity emotions such as the enjoyment, curiosity, confusion, and boredom experienced during learning. Using Pekrun’s (Educ Psychol Rev 18: 315–341, 2006) control-value theory of achievement emotions as a theoretical framework, I first discuss the functions of emotions for learning and cognitive development, including effects on attention and memory, motivation to learn, use of learning strategies, self-regulation of learning, and learning outcomes. Next, the origins of academic emotions are addressed. It is argued that control appraisals, value appraisals, achievement goals, and related contextual factors in learning environments are of specific relevance for academic emotion arousal. In conclusion, I discuss issues of reciprocal causation and the regulation of academic emotions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Reinhard Pekrun

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  1. Reinhard Pekrun
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Correspondence to Reinhard Pekrun .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , School of Electrical and Information Eng, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, Australia

    Rafael A. Calvo

  2. , Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, 38152, USA

    Sidney K. D'Mello

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Pekrun, R. (2011). Emotions as Drivers of Learning and Cognitive Development. In: Calvo, R., D'Mello, S. (eds) New Perspectives on Affect and Learning Technologies. Explorations in the Learning Sciences, Instructional Systems and Performance Technologies, vol 3. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9625-1_3

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