Articles tagged with Motivation
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A study on language aptitude identified key components of language acquisition as cognitive, emotional, and personality-related characteristics. Effective language learning depends on thought process, emotional experience, motivation, and personal traits such as self-esteem and anxiety levels.
As people age, their motivation to learn declines. Researchers identified a brain circuit critical for maintaining this motivation and found that it can be boosted in older mice by reactivating the circuit, which was previously shown to suppress motivation.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that users' desire to help others with mental health problems is a powerful driver for using chatbots. The researchers surveyed 1,114 U.S. adults who had used chatbots for mental health services and discovered that helping others was twice as motivating as helping oneself.
Researchers found neurons in the striosome contribute to both positive reinforcement learning and negative-reinforcement learning, highlighting the complex motivation-processing hub in this brain region. Understanding its function is critical for developing better treatments for mental illnesses such as depression and addiction.
A UCL-led study found that unequal compensation reduces people's happiness and willingness to work. The research suggests that large disparities in rewards for the same task bring about greater unhappiness, leading to lower motivation and well-being. Participants who were told they would benefit from unfair advantages still showed a de...
A study by Professor Kai Kaspar found that people's motivation to socially distance increases with the severity of their perceived infection. Motivation to use corona apps also depends on trust in official providers and confidence in data handling, with users more likely to report higher motivation when they believe apps will help prev...
Scientists discovered that a specific brain pathway is crucial for motivation but not for reward-driven learning. The research may lead to more precise interventions and effective therapies for psychiatric disorders.
A recent study found that social components of fitness apps facilitate motivation and beliefs in physical activity, leading to increased engagement. The study highlights the importance of social support in promoting exercise behavior.
A study found that increased sleepiness is tied to decreases in social activity, especially on days off and in the evenings, while more social activity in the afternoon can lead to longer sleep duration. The complex relationship between social activity and subsequent sleepiness suggests that sleepiness may impede voluntary social contact.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that the balance between glutamine and glutamate levels in the nucleus accumbens is crucial for sustained effort-based motivated performance. The research suggests a potential link to therapeutic strategies, including nutritional interventions, to address motivational deficits.
Research reveals that a reward should neither be too small nor too large to optimize memory encoding. The brain needs rewards to motivate us, but also challenges, and the perfect balance allows for better memory consolidation.
A comprehensive study examined how various motivations to be generous interact with one another. Researchers found that people overwhelmingly chose to be generous to others, regardless of motivation, and that all four established motivators work together in the real world.
The study found that women who watched videos of themselves and their peers experienced increased autonomous motivation and self-efficacy, leading to a significant decrease in fat intake. The intervention's emphasis on coping self-efficacy also reduced participants' stress levels.
A new study by the University of Rochester and University of Toronto found that couples who accurately perceive appeasement emotions, such as embarrassment, have better relationships. In contrast, couples where either partner feels negative emotions, regardless of whether those emotions are accurately perceived, have poorer relationships.
A study from Carnegie Mellon University and Columbia Business School found that women entrepreneurs are more motivated by social impact than money, while men are more driven by financial gains. The research also revealed that individuals from altruistic cultures are more likely to respond to messages focused on social impact.
Children perceive coercion as reducing exercise motivation, while parent-child interaction, acceptance of lack of motivation, and participation in activities increase enthusiasm. Parents can support exercise motivation by taking into account children's interests and providing flexible boundaries for screen time.
Researchers from the University of Seville found that initial motivation is related to individual differences in drop-out probability and satisfaction with the learning experience. The study suggests designing personalized learning plans based on a good initial diagnosis of students' learning intentions and motivational profiles.
Research by the American Psychological Association finds that middle-aged and older adults who disengage from mentally stimulating activities after retirement may be at increased risk of cognitive decline. Women are more likely to experience this decline than men, according to the study.
Researchers discovered that competing against an idealised avatar negatively impacts physical performance, whereas a realistic avatar increases motivation and improves outcomes. The study suggests that exergame designers should use realistic avatar customisation to enhance player experience and performance.
New research suggests that scientists who are known for their hard work, like Thomas Edison, are more motivating than those who are viewed as naturally brilliant, like Albert Einstein. The findings dispel myths about what it takes to succeed in science and can help optimize science education.
A recent study by Jackson Lu, Richard Nisbett, and Michael Morris found that East Asians are disproportionately underrepresented in US leadership positions due to relatively lower assertiveness. The research suggests that diverse leadership styles are valuable for organizations and highlights the need for recognition of these differences.
The study reveals that different classes of neurons control positive and negative motivation, sending opposing signals along a shared brain circuit. This balance determines whether an individual seeks pleasurable experiences or avoids negative ones.
A University of Waterloo study found that positive feelings about work in general and a psychological attachment to the organization are crucial for casual workers to return the following year. Job enrichment was shown to increase work engagement and organizational commitment among seasonal student workers.
Researchers developed a parametric 3D modeling methodology to mimic the geometry of individual scales from the chiton mollusk. The scale armor model provides dual protection-flexibility performance through converging inward upon one another when under force, offering varying amounts of flexibility.
A global survey of over 7,000 people from 27 countries reveals that kin care and long-term relationships are the most important motivations in life, surpassing mate seeking. People who prioritize family values tend to be more satisfied with their lives and have better well-being.
A new analysis from Texas Tech University shows two-thirds of people who sext do so for non-sexual reasons, including relationship reassurance and favor exchanges. The study found three main motivations behind sexting: foreplay, relationship reassurance, and favor exchanges.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that over half of people would be willing to donate their personal data for research. The researchers developed a new questionnaire to explore individuals' motivations, which identified three key reasons: serving society, gaining personal benefits, and understanding data purpose.
Scientists have identified genes associated with a common depression symptom: lack of motivation. This finding could lead to new diagnostic methods and targeted treatments for depression. The study uses mouse models to understand brain changes related to specific symptoms.
A new study by Annahita Ball found that adding tablets and home Wi-Fi to students in an urban New York State school district did not increase academic motivation. Instead, it pointed to the need for schools to focus on interpersonal aspects of learning and family engagement to support student motivation.
A recent study found that both professional esports players and recreational video game players are at risk of developing internet gaming disorder when they use gaming as a means of escapism. The study, which surveyed over 4,300 gamers, suggests that escapist tendencies can be a common predictor of gaming disorder in both groups.
Research suggests that restricting food intake can increase motivation to exercise in mice, potentially leading to weight loss and reduced complications like diabetes and heart disease. This could be achieved through better diet control, such as limiting mealtimes or fasting intermittently.
Researchers at the German Sport University explored the effects of full-body exergaming in VR on cardiovascular system and strength endurance. Results showed that VR-based training had little to no cardiovascular benefit but created incentives for increased physical activity, motivating users to take up exercise.
Researchers identified a neural circuit in fruit flies that controls perseverance, with dopamine and octopamine neurotransmitters playing a key role. The finding suggests that simple organisms like fruit flies exhibit stamina and perseverance, challenging the idea that these traits are unique to humans.
Researchers analyzed 1,309 gamers' playing history over 29 months, finding that varying game difficulty based on players' engagement levels increases use by 4-8%. The study suggests introducing surprises like new maps or game modes to offset decreased player curiosity.
Researchers identify lateral septum as crucial link between circuits guiding goal-directed movement and motivated behavior. The study shows that the LS directly encodes information about speed and acceleration, enabling it to integrate or optimize performance across environmental signals.
Researchers found that abstaining from cigarettes does not affect the motivation for food and water. In fact, smokers are more willing to spend money on cigarettes than food during abstinence.
A new scale assessing passion in relation to a skill has been presented in the journal New Ideas in Psychology. Passion, grit, positive mindset, and mentors are key factors in achieving success. Men tend to rely on passion and grit, while women emphasize grit and a positive mindset.
A new study found that male gender, neurotic and introverted personality traits, and motivation related to achievement are predictors of internet gaming disorder (IGD). The research highlights the importance of understanding the social context of clients' situations in developing prevention and treatment strategies for IGD.
The pending Altria-Juul deal could lead to increased e-cigarette use or less cigarette use, depending on regulations and policies. Georgetown University professor David Levy explores the motivations behind the $12.8 billion purchase and its potential impact on public health.
A University of Arizona researcher studied motivations behind sexting and found that young women send explicit images to feel empowered or disempowered. The study highlights the complexities of sexual double standards and their impact on women's sexuality.
A new report from the University of East Anglia reveals that over-55s should prioritize physical activity to enjoy a fit and healthy retirement. The study found that many approaching retirement are in poor shape due to health problems, lack of motivation, and limited time.
New research from Penn State suggests that freedom songs sung by Black women helped empower them to lead others when formal leadership positions were unavailable. These songs, which originated in the 1920s or earlier, were altered to reflect the struggles of the time and became a powerful form of resistance.
A study published in Cell reveals that large complex neurotransmitters, such as neuropeptides, have a robust effect on animal behavior by regulating the ventral tegmental area. The findings could lead to helping people find motivation when they are depressed and decreasing motivation for drugs in substance-abuse disorders.
A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that information about a company's founder's motivation has a powerful effect on whether consumers deem a brand authentic. In two experiments, participants rated products as more authentic and of higher quality when they were presented with stories about the founder's...
A new paper proposes that behaviors common to autism, such as low eye contact and repetitive movements, may not be indicative of social aversion but rather a desire for social connection. Autistic individuals share their experiences, expressing frustration with misinterpreted stereotypes.
Researchers found that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve increases motivation to exert physical effort for food rewards, potentially providing a novel method to alter motivation. The study involved 81 hungry participants who underwent two sessions: one with vagus nerve stimulation and another with placebo stimulation.
Dr. Paulina Sliwa's study suggests that morally adequate intentions are the crucial ingredient in making excuses work, with intentions being key to understanding how we make choices. Successful excuses can mitigate blame but don't absolve moral responsibility completely.
A new study suggests people stop gathering evidence earlier when it supports their desired conclusion than when it opposes it. This bias is driven by a tendency to weight favorable evidence more heavily than opposing evidence, leading individuals to prematurely conclude in favor of their preconceived notion.
A recent study published in Agronomy Journal found that farmers' primary motivation for participating in on-farm research is the opportunity to collaborate with university faculty and other farmers, leading to increased confidence in results and improved economic outcomes. The study also highlights the importance of peer-learning and f...
Researchers found that free product consumers are more likely to give word-of-mouth boosts than paid product buyers. This is because they feel a sense of reciprocity and obligation to producers and other consumers.
A new study found significant issues with non-medical use of alprazolam in the UK, particularly among younger adults. The estimated national prevalence of lifetime and recent use was 0.32% and 1.30%, respectively.
A new study examining phone snooping found that 25 out of 46 participants reported their relationships survived the snooping, while 21 ended. The study highlights human factors in digital security and the importance of trusting those who access your phone.
A new U of T study found that extroversion is linked to greater motivation, more frequent positive emotions, stronger communication skills, and better job performance. These advantages appear to have a cumulative effect on workplace success across the lifespan.
Adolescent cannabis use linked to impairments in working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive function. Cannabis exposure also associated with schizophrenia-like effects and affective abnormalities.
Research by University of Illinois professor M. Teresa Cardador found that employees perceive their labor unions as supportive, leading to enhanced work meaningfulness and psychological benefits. This association persists even among those who don't strongly identify with the union.
A new study suggests that overly extroverted leaders can come across as pushy or annoying, while a moderate amount of assertiveness and warmth may be more effective. However, prosocial motivation can help highly extroverted leaders receive better marks from their peers.
A new study in Heliyon reveals that individuals who engage in solo or group exercise activities are more motivated by social connectedness than those exercising alone. Exercise motivation, self-control styles, and personality traits also predict participation frequency, with CrossFit participants ranking highest in intrinsic motivation.
Research from Florida State University finds that pregnant women are more likely to feel 'pushed out' of their workplaces, leading them to opt-out. The study confirms inherent biases against expectant mothers and highlights the need for employers to provide equal career support to both men and women with children.
A new study reveals that consumers are actively choosing to visit certain places to confront their feelings, grief or worries in a safe space. Therapeutic Servicescapes like Lourdes' marketplace offer emotional expression and vulnerability acceptance, leading to improved well-being.
A study by SISSA investigated the decision-making processes of healthy subjects with sub-clinical psychotic episodes, finding alterations similar to those in schizophrenia patients. The research highlights reduced motivation, emotional dysregulation, and delusions as possible indicators of vulnerability to psychosis.