![]() Motivation, when seen in the real world, and when measured by science, becomes visible and detectable through behavior, level of engagement, neural activation, and psychophysiology. Motivational science is a behavioral science that seeks to construct theories about what constitutes human motivation and how motivational processes work. The study of motivation in psychology revolves around providing the best possible answers to two fundamental questions: what causes behavior, and why does behavior vary in its intensity? People exercise because they think that is what they should or ought to do to please others or to relieve their sense of guilt.Īfter a stressful day, people go to the gym, which they see as a structured and controllable environment.Įxercise is often a social event, a time to enjoy hanging out with friends.įor a more in-depth discussion of the many mechanisms of motivation, see our article on Motivation and What Really Drives Human Behavior. ![]() Vigorous jogging can produce a runner’s high, a euphoric rebound to the pain.īeing in nature can induce a good mood such that people exercise spontaneously, skipping along without even knowing why. Snow skiers race to the bottom of the mountain, trying to beat their previous best time.Īs exercisers make progress, they feel more competent, more effective. People watch others exercise and become inspired to do the same. ![]() Patients exercise to lose weight or to strengthen the heart. Runners strive to run a mile in six minutes or less. Performers get “in the zone” when their pursuits optimally challenge their skills.Īthletes exercise because their coach tells them to do so. Here is an example of possible motivational reasons a person could have to engage in exercise.Ĭhildren run, jump, and chase simply for the sheer fun of it. The best way to explain motivation is to show what it looks like in everyday life. We will also be motivated by goals, values, and desires to experience specific emotions associated with certain end-states (Reeve, 2015). Our environment and social context will play a significant role in terms of extrinsic motivation. Some of these needs will become motives as will all the intrinsic activities we engage in. As do the needs for achievement, power, closure, meaning, and self-esteem. Psychological needs for autonomy, mastery, and belonging direct our behavior in much the same way. Physiological needs for food, water, and sex (yes sex) serve the organism to maintain life and also provide satisfaction from doing so. Motivation is influenced by the satisfaction of needs that are either necessary for sustaining life or essential for wellbeing and growth. When we are motivated, we move and take action. The essence of motivation is energized and persistent goal-directed behavior. When we tap into this well of energy, motivation endows the person with the drive and direction needed to engage with the environment in an adaptive, open-ended, and problem-solving sort of way (Reeve, 2015). Whether we define it as a drive or a need, motivation is a condition inside us that desires a change, either in the self or the environment.
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