Cognitive perspectives on maintaining physicians’ medical expertise: V. Using a motivational framework to understand the benefits and costs of testing

• Published in: Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications 2023-10, Vol.8 (1), p.64-64, Article 64
• Main Authors: Nokes-Malach, Timothy J., Fraundorf, Scott H., Caddick, Zachary A., Rottman, Benjamin M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achievement; Achievement goals; Anxiety; Assessment; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Careers; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Processes; Cognitive Psychology; Continuing education; Cost Effectiveness; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Costs; Education; Expectancy; Expectancy value; Experimental Psychology; Expertise; Learning; Medical research; Mindsets; Motivation; Neurosciences; Objectives; Physicians; Psychology; R&D; Research & development; Review; Review Article; Standardized tests; Stereotypes; Stereotyping; Success; Testing; The Cognitive Science of Medical Expertise; World Views
• ISSN: 2365-7464; 2365-7464
• DOI: 10.1186/s41235-023-00518-6

We apply a motivational perspective to understand the implications of physicians’ longitudinal assessment. We review the literature on situated expectancy-value theory, achievement goals, mindsets, anxiety, and stereotype threat in relation to testing and assessment. This review suggests several motivational benefits of testing as well as some potential challenges and costs posed by high-stakes, standardized tests. Many of the motivational benefits for testing can be understood from the equation of having the perceived benefits of the test outweigh the perceived costs of preparing for and taking the assessment. Attention to instructional framing, test purposes and values, and longitudinal assessment frameworks provide vehicles to further enhance motivational benefits and reduce potential costs of assessment.