Articles tagged with Motivation
A study published in Addiction Neuroscience found that music therapy reduces cravings and alters brain activity in people with substance use disorders. The therapy was shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce negative emotions, providing encouraging evidence for its role in addiction treatment.
A digital therapeutic intervention CT-155 has shown promising results in improving motivation and pleasure negative symptoms of schizophrenia with a small-to-moderate effect size comparable to psychosocial interventions and pharmacologic treatment. CT-155 is a scalable and accessible option for improving schizophrenia negative symptoms.
Research by Yang and Liu found that even minimal significance can have an effect on motivation, especially in children, and can combat nihilistic views. This is true for activities such as saving artwork or creating shapes, where the process and outcome are both valued.
Research suggests that childhood trauma weakens pleasure experience through changes in the hippocampus, leading to increased anhedonia. The study found individuals with disrupted hippocampal pathways experienced more anhedonia than those without disruptions.
A recent study by Nagoya University researchers found that orexin neurons play a crucial role in regulating motivated behavior. Using novel rat models, they discovered that activity in orexin neurons increases with effort, helping drive motivated behavior.
A new study found that conspiracy beliefs are more likely to translate into real-world behavior when held with greater certainty or regarded as personally important. The researchers also discovered that viewing conspiracy theories as 'actionable' further amplifies this tendency.
A study by Edith Cowan University found that re-engaging in new goals is linked to higher mental wellbeing for people living with chronic pain. However, letting go of old goals did not improve wellbeing overall, especially for those with high pain interference.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that combining fractions with a basketball improves pupils' mathematical skills in primary school. Pupils who participated in an eight-week teaching programme performed 15% better in fractions tests compared to a control group.
A study by UOC researchers reveals that young people are not fooled by monetization systems in video games; they often accept them as part of the gaming experience. The study highlights various systems that encourage consumption, such as loot boxes and virtual currencies, and shows a consistent relationship between these mechanisms and...
Research found that people with obesity experience fewer pleasant emotions during exercise and are more likely driven by external motives. Positive emotional experiences and intrinsic motivational factors explain both physical activity levels and future exercise intentions.
This qualitative study explores the use of edible cannabis among older adults as a management strategy for pain, sleep, and mental health concerns. The study highlights the importance of physician awareness and informed counseling for these patients.
Research by Virginia Tech researcher Phil Thompson and his colleagues found that when managers frame work problems as potential losses, employees are more likely to take action. Framing something as a loss yields employees to voice a work suggestion more than framing them as gains. This approach can influence employees' motivation to s...
A new study found that public sector workers' motivation is closely tied to their work environment. The research identified four profiles of public servants with varying levels of motivation, which are shaped by both individual psychology and environmental constraints.
Researchers evaluated alignment between large language model responses and human therapist responses in motivational interviewing. The study found that LLMs can generate responses consistent with motivational interviewing principles, but with limitations in coherence and stylistic alignment.
Researchers developed a method to measure individual thresholds for change, finding that personal thresholds vary widely and that combining social network structure and individual thresholds improves real-world interventions. Strategies that target individuals connected to many others who are already adopting the change were most effec...
A new study using rats found that a specific brain region, the anterior insula, is more active during actions related to alcohol consumption. This bias in decision-making may be involved in prioritizing alcohol over other rewards, potentially shedding light on the neural underpinnings of alcohol use disorders.
Research found that girls in Year 8 reported higher levels of compassion for others, but lower self-efficacy compared to boys. Boys, on the other hand, excelled in motivational factors such as passion and grit. However, girls showed stronger correlations between self-efficacy, grit, and growth mindset.
A new study found that flexible school start times can significantly improve teenagers' sleep patterns, reducing chronic sleep deprivation and its negative effects on mental health. Under a new model with flexible start and end times, students were able to get up 40 minutes later and slept an average of 45 minutes longer on school days.
A study by Cornell University found that people prioritize enjoyment over time when evaluating their progress toward goals in fitness, education, and careers. In one study, participants who enjoyed a workout reported making more progress despite taking less time than those who didn't enjoy the activity.
A new study reveals that being informed of potential failure can significantly motivate entrepreneurs to work harder and commit more deeply to their business ventures. Researchers found that those who recalled being told they would fail displayed a deeper commitment to persisting with their businesses.
A new Concordia-led study found that CEOs who experienced natural disasters in childhood tend to run firms with better workplace safety records. The research analyzed data from over 500 CEOs and found that these executives' companies reported significantly fewer work-related injuries.
A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that psychosocial factors like motivation, confidence, and social support are strongly linked to diet quality among rural adults. Participants with higher scores in these areas consumed more fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and fewer ultraprocessed foods.
A study found that ordering takeaway meals is a popular self-gifting option for both rewarding good days and consoling bad days. The research suggests that this may be due to the convenience of taking away daily cooking duties, while also providing a indulgent treat.
New research from Aalto University clarifies the link between autonomy and well-being, finding it universally important but stronger in wealthier, more individualistic nations. The study suggests that policy-makers should focus on boosting autonomy in richer countries to improve overall well-being.
A study by Ohio State University professor Patrick Carroll found that inducing meta-cognitive doubt in people who were worried about achieving an identity goal increased their commitment to achieving it. By questioning their own thoughts and doubts, participants became more confident and committed to pursuing their goals.
A study by Linköping University found that right-leaning people are more susceptible to conspiracy theories and misinformation, while those on the left are less affected. The researchers suggest exposure, psychological factors, and anti-democratic values may contribute to this phenomenon.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that the same dopamine mechanism responsible for drug addiction also controls natural behavioral fatigue. Researchers used male fruit flies to demonstrate that desensitization of D2R receptors leads to a decrease in motivation and interest.
Researchers found that small group counseling improved students' anger management, academic and life skills, feelings of connectedness and safety. Students learned practical strategies and developed social-emotional skills, leading to a positive perception of the school environment.
A two-week gratitude journaling practice increased work engagement in Japanese employees, particularly in absorption and awareness of workplace resources. Journaling also showed benefits for overall well-being, life satisfaction, and competitive motivation.
A recent Finnish study found that students' self-efficacy in mathematics is a key factor contributing to their motivation and performance. High self-efficacy predicted better performance, regardless of prior achievement level. In contrast, co-teaching showed no significant benefits on mathematics performance.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine conducted a scoping review on AI-driven systems designed to deliver motivational interviewing. The study found that most used AI tools were chatbots, with varying levels of fidelity to core principles like empathy and autonomy.
Research from the University of Eastern Finland found that perfectionistic tendencies are associated with poorer well-being, particularly in students who lack support from family and friends. Conversely, ambitious students reported high engagement but struggled without adequate support.
A recent study found that autonomous motivation can lead to a reduction in perceived illegitimate tasks, which are stressors undermining internal motivation. By supporting employees' autonomy, workplaces can help integrate potentially illegitimate tasks into the broader context of their work.
Researchers developed a new tool to measure language learning strategies of Japanese university STEM students. The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning-STEM (SILL-JP/STEM) assesses six categories of learning strategies, revealing insights into students' behaviors, including underutilized affective strategies.
A recent University of Cincinnati study reveals that employees with high self-confidence are less affected by societal stigma, while supportive management can help mitigate emotional exhaustion. The research suggests that pride in one's job is crucial to offsetting negative judgments from others.
Researchers found that self-efficacy is essential for positive emotions and flourishing, with a strong association between life meaning and feeling good about oneself. Despite differences in passion and self-efficacy, the sexes are remarkably similar in most areas.
A study by Steve Chang explores how oxytocin influences brain activity to shape social behavior in rhesus monkeys. The researchers found that oxytocin increased activity in the basolateral amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex when monkeys were socially motivated, maintaining beneficial decisions and social task behavior.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that focusing on the time invested in a goal, rather than the monetary cost, can enhance self-determination and increase persistence. This approach can be particularly effective for DIY customers, helping to reduce unhappiness and increase job satisfaction.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that people are more likely to stick to New Year's resolutions if they find the goal enjoyable and engaging. The study tracked over 2,000 U.S. adults for a year and found that intrinsic motivation led to immediate benefits and long-term success.
A study from the UJI reveals how the brain interprets social hierarchies and emotional facial expressions through the anterior temporal lobe. The upper part of this region is strongly activated when individuals make decisions based on emotional facial expressions, particularly in those with high levels of anxiety.
A study from Cornell University reveals that the desire for souvenirs increases as a meaningful experience comes to an end, particularly due to feelings of sadness. This emotional timing explains why souvenir shops do well during closing times or at season's end.
Home care cooperatives have identified key drivers of improved care quality, including worker input, motivation, selective hiring, and high-quality training. These findings have the potential to significantly improve care quality across the home care sector.
A new study by the University of Missouri researchers demonstrates that hope is a powerful emotional force that gives life meaning. The team found that only hope consistently predicted a stronger sense of meaning, which is linked to various positive outcomes, including happiness, quality relationships, and better physical health.
Dr. John Oldham's contributions have fundamentally reshaped personality disorder classification, moving from rigid categories to a more nuanced dimensional system. His Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) has marked the most significant epistemological shift in psychiatric diagnosis for decades.
A research team has designed a chatbot system to simulate group therapy for managing premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a common disorder among women. The system provides simultaneous support for understanding, coping, and connections with peers, improving engagement and language convergence with participants.
Researchers tested 17 behavioral strategies to overcome barriers to climate action, finding that emphasizing relevance and future thinking are most effective. Interventions like letter-writing and brainstorming short-term benefits increased intentions to act on both individual and collective levels.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that learning one's Alzheimer's risk can decrease negative emotions like depression and anxiety, but also leads to decreased motivation for maintaining healthy lifestyle changes. Researchers emphasize the importance of personalized disclosure processes to sustain healthy behaviors.
A recent study published in Contemporary Educational Psychology found that college students who compared their effort to others were less likely to believe they had the ability to succeed in science. In contrast, women who thought they tried hard without comparing themselves to others tended to do better in class.
Previous depression survivors exhibit reduced motivation for everyday tasks but become equally motivated with large and certain rewards. This research sheds light on subtle motivational deficits persisting in recovered depression, guiding targeted treatment for sustained recovery.
A study by Emory University researchers has found that spiritual health practitioners' personal experiences with psychedelics drive their careers in the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The study introduced a novel training approach, emphasizing self-literacy and reflective learning to balance personal experience with cl...
Researchers found that rats are more likely to aid distressed peers if they have previous positive social interactions with them. Helper rats showed increased activity in brain regions associated with empathy and motivation compared to less helpful rats. Oxytocin signaling may play a role in motivating rats to care for others.
A new study reveals that China's sell-by-plan mandate, aimed at preventing insider trading, has failed to stop executives from profiting from private information. Executives have found a way to plan their sales far in advance, allowing them to cash out before bad news breaks, undermining market fairness and eroding investor trust.
Researchers analyzed 29 studies involving over 90,000 participants to examine the links between Big Five personality traits and prosocial behavior. Extraverts are more likely to engage in volunteer work, while agreeable individuals tend to be more generous with their finances.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers Jin Xu and Pengfei Ye finds that value-based stock grants can weaken executive motivation and limit corporate growth. The study analyzed thousands of U.S. firms from 2006-22, revealing that companies tying CEO compensation to a fixed dollar amount can unintentionally discourage executives from m...
Researchers found that dopamine signals in two key brain areas respond differently to negative experiences, helping the brain adapt based on predictability and controllability. This study sheds light on how excessive avoidance can lead to decreased quality of life and why the 'dopamine detox' trend is too simplistic.
A new study from the University of Bath found that combining step tracking with mindfulness training boosts people's desire to exercise. Participants who used a mobile app for daily mindfulness practices increased their activity by 373 minutes per week compared to those who only stepped tracked.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin suggests that sales quota periods should be tailored to individual preferences. Low performers are more motivated by constant motivation, while high performers respond better to longer quota cycles. This implies that one-size-fits-all approach to sales compensation may not be effective.
A study published in Science discovered a direct connection between cancer-related inflammation and the loss of motivation characteristic of advanced cancer. Blocking the inflammatory pathway restored motivation in mice with cachexia, suggesting a potential treatment for apathy associated with chronic illnesses.
Researchers found that victims of knowledge theft become more protective and territorial about their work, leading to a toxic environment. Organizations must confront and prevent knowledge theft by rewarding teams as a group and promoting the sharing of knowledge.
Researchers analyzed decades of findings to understand how physical work environments influence organizational processes and outcomes, including employee health and motivation, as well as a firm's resource position and reputation. Effective design can enhance task accomplishment and shape intangible assets.