Abstract
Work avoidance is a
term that describes the behavior of students who seem to make
little effort to understand or complete academic tasks. Although
the condition has been described in earlier studies, the causes
of work avoidance have not been explored. In this study, grades
5 and 6 students who were identified as work avoidant were interviewed
to determine the causes of their work avoidance. It was hypothesized
that boredom, hostility, and helplessness were three possible
reasons for students not exerting effort. Students' protocols
indicated that they do withdraw effort for several reasons: because
they are bored, as an expression of hostility toward the teacher,
or because of feelings of helplessness.
Copyright © AJER, the Faculty of Education, and the University
of Alberta, 2002.
Last revised: August 8, 2002.
Designed by G.H. Buck