This book integrates theory, research, and practical issues related to achievement motivation, and provides an overview of current theories in the field, including reinforcement theory, intrinsic motivation, and cognitive theories. The text gives concrete examples and practical guidance for diagnosing and improving students' motivation, focuses on motivation in academic situations, and gives examples from athletic and other achievement contexts. Charts, checklists, and diagnostic tools are provided to help practicing teachers diagnose motivational problems and assess the motivational effects of their own behaviors and teaching strategies. Following a preface, the volume is organized into the following 12 chapters: (1) "Profiles of Motivational Problems" (introduces five children with motivational problems); (2) "Defining Achievement Motivation"; (3) "Reinforcement Theory"; (4) "Social Cognitive Theory"; (5) "Intrinsic Motivation"; (6) "Maximizing Intrinsic Motivation in the Classroom"; (7) "From Reinforcement to Cognition"; (8) "Perception of Ability"; (9) "Achievement Anxiety"; (10) "Maintaining Positive Achievement-Related Beliefs"; (11) "Communicating Expectations"; and (12) "Real Students" (considers possible remedies for the problems of the children introduced in chapter 1). Appendices provide forms and instructions for identifying motivation problems, external reinforcement (teacher self reports), observations of teachers' use of praise, ratings of the intrinsic value of tasks, and teacher ratings of student helplessness. (Contains approximately 500 references.) (LL)