What question did this study set out to answer?

This research examines how high school students' beliefs about their abilities and values in different subjects develop during the transition to Baccalaureate.

February 9, 2026Open Access

Developmental Dynamics of Expectancy and Value Beliefs in STEM and Language: Gender Stereotyping Influences

MSMilagros Sáinz KUKatja UpadyayaTwitter (United States)

Key Points

This research examines how high school students' beliefs about their abilities and values in different subjects develop during the transition to Baccalaureate.
Analyzed developmental patterns of self-concept and values using Latent Growth Curve (LGC) analysis.
Involved a sample of 1,805 high school students in Spain, with a focus on gender comparisons.
Assessed motivations in various subject areas over a four-year period.
Significant declines were observed in all motivational dimensions during the transition to Baccalaureate.
Value components declined more than expectancies across subjects.
Females demonstrated greater stability in motivation for Spanish language compared to males.

Abstract

Drawing on the Expectancy-Value Theory, the present study aims to analyze high school students’ developmental patterns of self-concept of ability, expectancies, intrinsic values, and utility values in various subject areas during the transition to post-compulsory secondary education (Baccalaureate) in Spain. A total of 1,805 secondary students (881 males, 924 females) participated the study. Most of the participants belonged to intermediate SES families. The results of the LGC analysis using a multiple group procedure show significant declines in all motivational dimensions and domains during the transition to Baccalaureate. Similarly, the initial level of each motivational dimension predicted its degree of development over the four-year period. The value components experienced further declines than the expectancies components. Gender differences were observed, with females showing more stability over time in the development of motivation in Spanish language. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings for future career-related choices are further discussed.

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