Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to develop and test a structural model of intrinsic motivation among students of the University of Sonora to the curriculum of their careers. A secondary objective was to overcome the limitations of the model developed among students of the UNAM. Eight psychometric scales developed by the authors in previous studies were used, which showed satisfactory reliability and validity values. The model tested was similar to the sample of the UNAM, except for the absence of school perception and value variables, which showed no significant low correlations with most of the variables. The model fit was satisfactory as suggested by the values of various indexes. The proportion of variance explained by intrinsic motivation was relatively high (0.498). The 3 variables with the greatest direct impact on intrinsic motivation were self-efficacy, achievement orientation and certainty in career choice. Procrastination, so common in classrooms, negatively affects the self-efficacy, the achievement orientation and intrinsic motivation, and in turn, is reinforced by the work avoidance and fear of failure.