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Teaching with Purpose: Changes in Motivational Competences Following a Guided Introspective Intervention

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines changes associated with a guided introspective intervention in self-reflection, introspection, and motivational competences among future teachers. Conducted within a Master’s course in Teacher Training, the ten-session program employed the “Casa Vital” framework, a metaphorical and visual model representing personal and professional development through structured introspective exercises. Eighty-two participants completed the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS-SF) and selected subscales of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) in a pre–post quasi-experimental design. Findings reveal significant increases in introspection, intrinsic goal orientation, control of learning beliefs, and self-efficacy for learning and performance (small–moderate effects), while self-reflection, extrinsic goal orientation and task value remained stable. These results suggest that guided introspection enhances motivational competences by promoting self-awareness, value clarification, and alignment of personal and professional goals. The intervention also seems to support autonomy-oriented engagement and purpose-driven decision-making, contributing to the development of reflective and resilient educators. Integrating structured introspective practices into teacher education may strengthen professional identity, psychological flexibility, and internal-driven motivation. The study underscores the practical potential of reflective frameworks such as Casa Vital to foster meaningful, self-determined, and adaptive teaching practices, offering an accessible and scalable approach for enhancing teacher preparation programs. Within the limits of a single-group pre–post design, these findings provide descriptive, theory-consistent indications that introspection may be associated with the cultivation of purposeful, motivated, and competent educators.

Source: Psychology International

DOI: 10.3390/psycholint8010010

Authors: Irene Díaz-Portales, Patricia Catalá, Sergio Jesús González Castilla, José San Martín López, María Zapata-Cáceres, Cecilia Peñacoba Puente

Institution: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Language: English

Topic: Reflective Practices in Education

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,448