Articles tagged with Motivation
Research from Penn State found that self-monitoring physical activity through smartwatches leads to increased motivation and activity levels. Participants who received prompts to report their activity took hundreds more steps in a given day compared to those who didn't receive such prompts.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies have distinct hunger drives, one driven by need and the other by pleasure, which arise from unique neural mechanisms. The study found that hungry flies increase feeding event duration and total events, and identified specific brain regions activated by pleasurable food environments.
A new study found that U.S. senators' tweets about greed perform better in terms of likes and retweets, particularly among Democrats who gain stronger traction for negative tweets about their opponents.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that offering tiny cash rewards for accuracy can increase people's ability to distinguish between misinformation and the truth. The study suggests that fake news thrives due to a motivational imbalance, where users have more incentive to get clicks than to spread accurate content.
A recent study found that promoting physical activity and behavioral support can help smokers reduce their smoking in the short-term, but delivering lasting benefits is challenging. The research, which recruited over 900 smokers, discovered that engaging with motivational support had some initial benefits, but only a small percentage o...
Researchers found that deposit insurance motivates people to keep deposits immediately below the insured threshold, leading to 'bunching' behavior. An increase in insured deposits also causes savers to change their asset allocation and increase their deposits.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that individuals who saved money had goals that matched their dominant personality traits. People whose self-reported savings goals were a good fit for their personality traits had a bigger nest egg, on average.
Researchers found that psychedelics combined with talk therapy can help people see themselves as nonsmokers, leading to a higher success rate in quitting smoking. The study suggests that psychedelics can reshape self-perceptions to help break free from old habits and addictions.
A team of Illinois Tech associate professors and an alumnus surveyed over 1,400 British police officers and found that autonomy-supportive communication practices reduced antagonism towards diversity initiatives. The study's lead researcher hopes that this approach will increase cooperation in professions where prejudice is high.
A recent study published in the Academy of Management Review explores the impact of underdog narratives on team behavior and motivation. The research suggests that adopting an underdog identity can lead to increased risk-taking and a greater sense of well-being, but also highlights potential drawbacks such as sabotaging competition.
Researchers found that a 30-minute mid-afternoon nap had the best balance of practicability and benefit, while shorter naps still improved mood, alertness, and memory encoding. The study suggests allocating at least 40 minutes for sleep to fall asleep.
A study by Pusan National University researchers found that countries closer to the equator have higher suicide rates due to decreased sunlight exposure. The prevalence of suicide increased with latitude, and was found to be higher in men than women, with age also being a significant factor
A Rutgers study found that people who know someone who became ill with COVID-19 or died from the disease are twice as likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The study also found that essential workers and those with better health status were more likely to get vaccinated.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that day-long implicit bias-oriented training programs for US police departments are unlikely to reduce racial inequity in policing. Despite increased knowledge and motivation among officers, actual policing behaviors showed little change just one month after the training session.
A recent study published in Frontiers found that recreational runners who use running as a means of escapism, particularly self-suppression, are more likely to develop exercise dependence. In contrast, those who prioritize self-expansion and positive experiences through running tend to have better wellbeing outcomes.
A new study by Bayes Business School finds that spinouts benefit from some market overlap with their parent companies, but only up to a point. The degree of overlap can have positive effects on survival, but also sparks hostile actions and lowers chances of success.
A new Edith Cowan University study found that engaging in exercise for autonomous and intrinsic reasons, like fun and enjoyment, promotes mental health and sustains exercise adherence. In contrast, pursuing New Year's exercise resolutions for extrinsic reasons can be detrimental to one's mental health.
Researchers developed a one-dimensional suspended high-contrast grating structure to enable directional lasing with high energy efficiency. The device can adjust the emission angle over a wide range, from -40° to +40°, making it suitable for solid-state LiDAR applications.
Researchers found that dopamine-releasing neurons in the ventral tegmental area of the brain drive maternal instincts through reinforcement learning. This process creates an expectation of future rewards, influencing mothers to pick up their crying children again.
Jon A. Jacobson, MD, FACR, has been recognized as the 2023 ARRS Distinguished Educator for his exceptional contributions to radiological education and innovative educational activities. He is a renowned expert in musculoskeletal ultrasound and MRI, with over 250 peer-reviewed publications.
A new study from Ritsumeikan University reveals the essential role of relational values in people's readiness to participate in and support sustainable social-ecological system (SES) management. The research shows that integrating relational values into SES management plans can promote pro-SES behavior among people.
A Penn Medicine study found that certain gut bacteria produce metabolites that stimulate sensory nerves, increasing dopamine levels in the brain during exercise. This increase reinforces the desire to exercise, boosting performance. The study suggests a new pathway for improving public health and potentially modifying motivation and mood.
The special issue explores key characteristics of ethical codes, their underlying values, and challenges in implementing them. Studies highlight common ethical values across cultures, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and care in early childhood education.
Scientists who engage in public outreach experience positive effects on their work, including increased motivation and competence. Interacting with non-expert audiences broadens specialized views and promotes communication between disciplines. The study highlights the benefits of science communication for researchers of all career stages.
Research shows that family involvement in psychosis treatment can lead to improved patient outcomes when caregivers use motivational interviewing-based communication strategies. This study found significant improvements in caregiver wellbeing, self-efficacy, and reduced conflict, but no change in treatment adherence.
A study by University of Cologne scientists found that colleagues' encouragement and own healthy behaviors positively correlate with employees' fruit and vegetable consumption. However, explicit encouragement has a positive effect on physical exercise, while colleagues' behavior does not typically influence others' physical activity.
A Finnish study found that university students' experiences of remote learning differ significantly, with motivated students performing better and feeling less strain. The research highlights the importance of identifying individual differences in teaching to support student well-being.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that employees who perceive managerial controls as restrictive and punitive may develop dysfunctional responses, including workplace deviance and deliberate ignorance. The study suggests that threatening managerial controls have different effects on skilled and non-skilled workers, w...
A new study found that people with a higher sense of purpose in life have a lower risk of death from any cause, regardless of race or gender. The association was strongest among women, who may benefit more from the health-protective effects of purpose.
The study reveals two neuron subgroups in NAc: NAc BLA and NAc PVT. These neurons regulate reward-seeking behavior and aversion, respectively. The findings provide insight into the brain's reward and aversion processing.
A new study of 200,000 patients found that those who smoke cigarettes and drink heavily are more likely to experience post-surgical complications. However, talking to a health coach about drinking-related risks before surgery can help patients cut their alcohol use in half and reduce the likelihood of surgical issues.
A new study suggests that a desire to succeed despite adversity is a key motivator for individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue legal careers. The research, based on 650 UK tweets, found that financial support and positive careers advice are crucial in overcoming barriers to entry into the legal profession.
A study found that media literacy and trust in health experts are more powerful predictors of COVID-19 vaccine intentions than previous behavior or knowledge. Researchers also discovered that people who refused flu vaccines had lower future vaccine intentions despite higher COVID-19 knowledge.
Researchers analyzed human characteristics, path risk elements, and path network configuration in flood evacuation route choices. Their findings suggest that residents rely on safety perception rather than spatial logic when selecting evacuation routes.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that wage and benefit violations are the primary reason for high turnover rates among global apparel factory workers. The study suggests that companies prioritize profit over worker well-being, leading to poor working conditions. As European governments develop new laws to regulate co...
A study found that higher levels of glutathione in the nucleus accumbens correlate with better performance in motivation tasks. Nutritional interventions targeting GSH levels may improve motivation by modifying behavior and facilitating effortful endurance.
Researchers found that COVID-19 challenge trial participants are motivated by a desire to help others, not financial gain. The study suggests that volunteers have a thorough understanding of the risks involved and are driven by altruistic intentions.
Researchers analyzed data from bike share stations in NYC, Chicago, and Philadelphia to understand disparities in bike share use. Key findings include concerns about traffic safety and personal safety among lower-income and people of color residents.
Researchers found that groups using multivoting proved more effective in identifying the best choice, with 50% higher accuracy than plurality and ranked-choice voting. Multivoting allows individuals to allocate votes across options, promoting deeper information processing before discussion.
Research reveals that pregnant smokers decrease their daily cigarette count by an average of one cigarette per day before realizing they are pregnant. This trend continues in the month following pregnancy recognition, with a decline from nine to five cigarettes per day on average.
A recent study by Prof. Yong-Kyun Bae found that recall letters with riskier defects and 'free of charge' notices prompt quicker corrective actions. The research highlights the need for effective, standardized communication in recall letters to improve public safety.
A recent study published in Engineering Construction & Architectural Management identified the main obstacles preventing digital transformation in the engineering and construction industry. The three main problems are a lack of laws and regulations, a lack of support and leadership, and a lack of resources and professionals.
A team from UNIGE and EPFL discovered that too much or too little motivation can blur sensory information and affect decision-making. In a state of hyper-motivation, rodents performed poorly, while moderate motivation led to optimal choice. These results open up new perspectives in learning methods.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that storytelling can help college students make sense of the pandemic and reduce stress. The study involved first-year college students who used stories to express personal growth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting less stress and more confidence in their schoo...
Research suggests that valuing cross-partisan empathy can decrease partisan animosity and make arguments more persuasive. Participants who endorsed empathy were more likely to support bipartisan cooperation and report less animosity towards the opposition.
Injured mice that received gabapentin showed improved rehab compliance due to mental barriers. Removing dividers between individual exercise lanes increased willingness to participate in group rehab, boosting performance and recovery. The study suggests social support may be beneficial for individuals with spinal cord injury.
A team of researchers identified a protein kinase substrate downstream of the dopamine signaling pathway regulating brain reward behavior. The study found that phosphorylation of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 2 (KCNQ2) decreases its channel activity, increasing neuronal excitability and promoting reward behavior.
Students who used at least one self-control strategy had higher SAT scores and spent more time practicing than those relying on pure willpower. The study suggests that helping students employ self-control strategies could be a cost-effective way to boost their scores.
A new study by the University of Georgia found that praising children's personal traits or innate abilities can dampen their math motivation and achievement over time. Parents who focus on strategy use and effort tend to give more process-oriented responses, which are linked to better math adjustment in children.
Research reveals that wildlife hunting motivations differ across Africa and Europe, shifting from economic to socio-cultural and recreational factors as socio-economic conditions increase. Hunting intensity is surprisingly constant, while densely populated areas experience increased conflict-related killings.
Research finds that feelings of guilt from keeping everyday consumer behaviors a secret can lead to greater relationship investment. Participants reported engaging in mundane secrets like sneaking pizza or watching ahead on a TV show, which drove them to invest more in their relationships.
Research found professional athletes show better individual attacking performance in matches against their former clubs. Emotions, rather than knowledge of opponents' tactics, contribute significantly to their success. Coaches and sports managers can benefit from this understanding, while bookmakers may adjust betting odds.
Researchers developed a new scale to capture heterogeneity among violent extremists, revealing distinct archetype dimensions such as 'adventurer' and 'drifter'. The tool has been validated across diverse groups, providing insights into personality traits and behavioral profiles of extremist individuals.
A recent study analyzed volunteer motivations in invasive species projects and found that motivations fit three broad themes: environmental concerns, social motivations, and personal reasons. Volunteers are driven to protect native biodiversity in their valued areas, such as Scottish seabird islands and South African Fynbos.
A MU researcher has earned a federal grant from the United States Fulbright Program to conduct community engagement research in South Africa. He aims to assist disengaged, vulnerable youth in rural areas through community development initiatives.
A study found that individual factors such as education level and health status are more influential on leisure-time physical activity than municipal resources. Commuting physical activity is also lower in rural municipalities due to longer distances and limited public transport.
Adult flu vaccination rates declined in states with low COVID-19 vaccination rates, indicating a potential link between the two. The study found that factors causing low COVID-19 vaccination behaviors also led to declines in flu vaccination rates.
A massive global study of social distancing motivations has yielded new insights into the effectiveness of different styles of messaging. Autonomy-supportive messages that encouraged personal agency were found to be more effective in influencing individuals' behaviors than controlling or shaming messages.
Research reveals antibiotics can knock out essential gut bacteria, leading to reduced motivation and endurance in athletes. The study found that high-performance mice were more affected by antibiotic treatment, highlighting the microbiome's impact on exercise behaviors.
A new study from Finland found that adolescent athletes' motivation for school and sports are strongly related, with female students generally showing higher motivation for both. Male students tend to be less interested in school, but not in sports, suggesting a need for targeted support to develop their academic motivation.