Fatores motivacionais na escolha do curso de Ciências Contábeis: um estudo baseado na self-determination theory

The dynamism with which things happen affects the perception of those who seek to enter a higher education institution. Students are asked to decide which course to take and in that choice, elements such as family, friends and social pressure are present. The study sought to identify, in the light of the Self-Determination Theory, the motivational factors that influence the choice of the accounting science course. The research is characterized as descriptive and quantitative, for data collection the Brazilian version of the Academic Motivation Scale was used with a sample of 296 respondents, the technique of data analysis being the factor analysis and ANOVA. The study identified that students' choices are autonomous, with extrinsic motivation for integrated regulation and intrinsic motivation as the two predominant factors. It appears that the choices are made in the least regulated way possible and that the study in accounting is the way in which they believe that the predetermined objectives will be achieved, thus changing the reality experienced.