Motivation

[8] Motivation science is a more recent field of inquiry focused on an integrative approach that tries to link insights from different subdisciplines.

[17] For example, John Dewey and Abraham Maslow use a psychological perspective to understand motivation as a form of desire[18] while Jackson Beatty and Charles Ransom Gallistel see it as a physical process akin to hunger and thirst.

[23] The role of goals in motivation is sometimes paired with the claim that it leads to flexible behavior in contrast to blind reflexes or fixed stimulus-response patterns.

[28] The multitude of definitions and the lack of consensus have prompted some theorists, like psychologists B. N. Bunnell and Donald A. Dewsbury, to doubt that the concept of motivation is theoretically useful and to see it instead as a mere hypothetical construct.

[38] A closely related issue concerns the different types of mental phenomena that are responsible for motivation, like desires, beliefs, and rational deliberation.

[40] For example, a person may be motivated to undergo a painful root canal treatment because they conclude that it is a necessary thing to do even though they do not actively desire it.

For instance, two athletes engaging in the same drill have the same direction but differ concerning the motivational intensity if one gives their best while the other only puts in minimal effort.

This way, individuals can adapt to changes in the physical and social environment that affect the effectiveness of previously chosen means.

They differ from each other based on the underlying mechanisms responsible for their manifestation, what goals are pursued, what temporal horizon they encompass, and who is intended to benefit.

In this case, the person lacks a clear understanding of the deeper source of motivation and in what sense the behavior is in tune with their values.

Cognitively motivated behavior is not an innate reflex but a flexible response to the available information that is based on past experiences and expected outcomes.

It is associated with the desire to assist and help others in a non-transactional manner without the goal of obtaining personal gain or rewards in return.

[111] For instance, amotivated children at school remain passive in class, do not engage in classroom activities, and fail to follow teacher instructions.

[113] It can be caused by factors like unrealistic expectations, helplessness, feelings of incompetence, and the inability to see how one's actions affect outcomes.

[121] This way, they provide explanations of why an individual engages in one behavior rather than another, how much effort they invest, and how long they continue to strive toward a given goal.

[12] Important debates in the academic literature concern to what extent motivation is innate or based on genetically determined instincts rather than learned through previous experience.

Content theories attempt to identify and describe the internal factors that motivate people, such as different types of needs, drives, and desires.

[129] This theory implies, for example, that increasing salary and job security may not be sufficient to fully motivate workers if their higher needs are not met.

McClelland holds that these needs are present in everyone but that their exact form, strength, and expression is shaped by cultural influences and the individual's experiences.

This tends to increase motivation since humans usually prefer to act in accordance with their wishes, values, and goals without being coerced by external forces.

Neurology uses data from both humans and animals, which it obtains through a variety of methods, including the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography.

[139] Neurologists understand motivation as a multifaceted phenomenon that integrates and processes signals to make complex decisions and coordinate actions.

All this information is integrated to perform a cost–benefit analysis, which considers the time, effort, and discomfort associated with pursuing a goal as well as positive outcomes, like fulfilling one's needs or escaping harm.

[142] Motivation plays a key role in education since it affects the students' engagement with the studied topic and shapes their learning experience and academic success.

They include the personal needs and expectations of the employees, the characteristics of the tasks they perform, and whether the work conditions are perceived as fair and just.

Some focus on material benefits, like high salary, health care, stock ownership plans, profit-sharing, and company cars.

[90] It is the responsibility of coaches not just to advise and instruct athletes on training plans and strategies but also to motivate them to put in the required effort and give their best.

Unlike intent, motive is usually not an essential element of a crime: it plays various roles in investigative considerations but is normally not required to establish the defendant's guilt.

[166] For example, health-related lifestyle changes may at times require high willpower and self-control to implement meaningful adjustments while resisting impulses and bad habits.

Player motivation often revolves around completing certain objectives, like solving a puzzle, beating an enemy, or exploring the game world.