Author: Srikrishna Jana
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/03100016
Abstract: Educational aspiration is a critical indicator of individual motivation and social mobility. Among tribal adolescents, it represents both a psychological construct and a sociological phenomenon shaped by intersecting forces of culture, socio-economic status, identity, and educational opportunity. This paper explores the socio-psychological dimensions of educational aspirations among tribal adolescents, emphasizing how social structures, family environments, community expectations, and self-perception interact to influence the pursuit of education. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977), the Expectancy-Value Model (Eccles & Wigfield, 2002), and Cultural Capital Theory (Bourdieu, 1986), the study critically examines how aspiration formation and realization are mediated by psychological factors such as self-efficacy, motivation, self-concept, and resilience, within the constraints of socio-cultural realities. The discussion underscores the need for culturally sensitive educational interventions that nurture aspirations while addressing systemic inequities that continue to marginalize tribal learners.
Keywords: Educational Aspiration, Tribal Adolescents, Socio-Psychological Factors, Motivation, SelfEfficacy, Cultural Capital.
Page No: 125-131