title: The human side of science education: Using McGregor's theory Y as a framework for improving student motivation*.
abstract: Student motivation is correlated with learning. Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y as a basis for understanding and improving motivation in the business world can be directly applied to the science classroom. Teachers with a Theory Y perspective (students naturally want to learn) provide increased motivation for students and promote more active learning than Theory X-style teachers who do not view students as active learners. Many teachers are not aware of their Theory X/Theory Y orientation and how this bias may be impacting their interaction with students. This article explores the benefits of moving from a Theory X to a more Theory Y style of teaching.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0664. markwell@unl.edu.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Markwell