Table 2 Factor analysis of the Academic Motivation Scale at the faculties of medicine of USJ and USEK

 For the pleasure that I experience when I discover the theories of famous researchers.

 For the pleasure that I experience when I feel completely absorbed by medical studies and sciences.

 For the pleasure I experience while surpassing myself in my medical studies.

 For the pleasure that I experience in broadening my knowledge about subjects which appeal to me.

 For the pleasure I experience when I discover new things in medicine that I have never seen before.

 For the pleasure that I experience while I am surpassing myself in one of my personal accomplishments.

 Because I experience pleasure and satisfaction while learning new things related to the medical field.

 For the “high” feeling that I experience while learning about breakthroughs in the medical field.

 Because my medical studies allow me to continue to learn about many things that interest me.

 For the intense feelings I experience when I am communicating my own ideas to others about a medical subject.

 Because I think that a college education will help me better prepare for the career I have chosen.

 For the satisfaction I feel when I am in the process of accomplishing difficult academic activities.

 Because medical school allows me to experience a personal satisfaction in my quest for excellence in my studies.

 Because eventually it will enable me to enter the job market in a field that I like.

 Because this will help me make a better choice regarding my career orientation.

 Because I believe that a few additional years of medical education will improve my competence as a worker.

 In order to have a better salary later on.

 Because I want to have “the good life” later on.

 In order to obtain a more prestigious job later on.

 Because with only a high-school degree I would not find a high-paying job later on.

 To show myself that I am an intelligent person.

 Because I want to show myself that I can succeed in my medical studies.

 Because of the fact that when I succeed in medical school I feel important.

 I don’t know; I can’t understand what I am

doing in medical school.

 Honestly, I don’t know; I really feel that I am wasting my time in medical school.

 I can’t see why I go to medical school and frankly, I couldn’t care less.

 I once had good reasons for going to medical school; however, now I wonder whether I should continue.