Articles tagged with Motivation
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 new study finds that first-year students who value and enjoy their alone time tend to display greater psychological health. The researchers argue that a healthy motivation for solitude is essential, particularly for those who don't feel they belong in college.
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.
A clinical trial found that animal-assisted therapy can foster social competence and increase emotional involvement in patients with brain injuries. The study showed that patients exhibited more active social engagement, expressed positive emotions, and reported higher satisfaction when an animal was present during therapy sessions.
A new study found that improvements in property damage and casualties differ for fire departments with informal, formal, or contract-based collaborations. Formal contracts improve performance on goals firefighters are motivated to achieve, but may negatively impact motivation for other important goals.
Dr. Marylene Gagné has been named a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) for her pioneering work in self-determination theory and work motivation. She is recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of industrial-organizational psychology.
A study by Inserm researchers found that cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors control motivation for exercise, but not chocolatey food. The findings suggest that CB1 receptors on GABAergic neurons are essential for physical activity motivation.
A study by North Carolina State University found that older adults are more willing to engage with negative health information when they have a positive attitude towards their health. Participants who completed a checklist designed to make them feel good about their lifestyle choices read more than 50% of the negative articles, compare...
Researchers found that dopamine precursor levodopa increased hedonic experience and motivational responses, while dopamine antagonist risperidone reduced both. These results suggest that dopamine modulates the reward experiences elicited by music, challenging previous evidence in animal models.
A new study published in PNAS reveals a causal link between dopamine and the reward responses in humans when listening to music. Researchers found that dopamine manipulation led to opposite effects on musical pleasure and motivation, with levodopa increasing hedonic experience and risperidone reducing both.
A new WCS study examines the job satisfaction of front-line conservation rangers working in challenging conditions at Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The research reveals that rangers' motivation decreases over time, but provides suggestions for improvement, including better salaries, recognition, and security guarantees.
A recent study published in JNeurosci found that activation of the anterior insular cortex is a key predictor of relapse after abstinence in male rats. This finding has implications for understanding the neurobiology of relapse and may inform preventative strategies for alcohol use disorder in humans.
A recent study by University College London found that smokers who regularly spend time with vapers are more likely to try quitting smoking. The study discovered no evidence that vaping discourages smokers from quitting, alleviating concerns about the public health impact of e-cigarettes.
Two novel drugs have been found to restore normal behavior in rats lacking motivation by stimulating a build-up of dopamine in the synapses. This discovery holds promise for treating apathy and fatigue in humans, particularly those suffering from depression or caused by chronic diseases.
Scientists discovered that specific mental trainings can improve prosocial behavior over several months. Affect Module, consisting of daily practices, boosted altruistic behaviors, making it a potential step towards a caring society.
A major study from University of Sussex confirms that acts of kindness activate the brain's reward network, regardless of personal benefit. The research found distinct neural responses to altruistic and strategic kindness, with some areas more active during pure altruism.
Researchers describe five stages of give-up-itis, a condition characterized by progressive psychological decline and apathy, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences. The condition is triggered by severe trauma and affects the anterior cingulate circuit, governing motivation and goal-directed behavior.
Researchers found that residents and property owners are more likely to adopt green stormwater infrastructure practices if they have experienced flooding or erosion. The study suggests a flexible approach to encourage effective stewardship of these practices across diverse populations and landscapes.
A new study shows Functional Imagery Training (FIT) significantly increases weight loss by 5 times compared to Motivational Interviewing (MI). Participants who used FIT lost an average of 4.11kg in six months and continued to lose weight after the intervention ended.
Research from the Immigration Policy Lab found that EU countries' temporary employment bans for refugees hinder their long-term integration. Refugees who faced shorter wait times to work had higher employment rates, while those with longer bans struggled to find jobs and were more likely to be demotivated.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a role-playing game called World Climate increases motivation to combat climate change by 81%, even among Americans who support free market policies. The game simulates UN climate talks and provides immediate feedback on the expected climate impacts of participants' decisions.
A nine-month resistance training intervention improved exercise motivation and planning in older adults, with nearly half continuing independently. Participants who increased intrinsic motivation and confidence maintained twice-a-week training
The study discovered that patients' primary motivations behind cosmetic procedures are physical health, psychological well-being, and aesthetic appearance. Patients primarily pursue these procedures to look younger, fresher, and more confident.
A brief dermatologist intervention was found to improve patients' sun protection behavior and increase their satisfaction with communication with their dermatologist. The study compared 72 patients who received the Addressing Behavior Change (ABC) intervention with 81 patients in a comparison group over several months.
Researchers investigate the role of dopamine neurons in assigning value to environmental cues, revealing parallel motivational roles for different types of neurons. This study contributes to understanding relapse in addiction by highlighting the importance of normal cue-triggered motivation.
Researchers used a Pavlovian model to investigate the role of dopamine neurons in assigning value to environmental cues. They found that dopamine neurons can imbue cues with motivational value, driving actions and approach towards specific locations.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals that racial diversity in student leadership programs leads to a measurable increase in lasting leadership capacity. White students showed significant gains in leadership motivation, while non-white students benefited across all metrics.
Research at Harvard Medical School reveals that fruit fly courtship is influenced by the convergence of motivation, perception, and chance. The study found that dopamine levels play a crucial role in directing courtship behavior, with high levels leading to persistent pursuit.
Researchers found evidence of coalitional play fighting among hunter-gatherer societies, suggesting it was a universal feature of human psychology. This type of play involved coordinated action and non-lethal physical force, mirroring skills used in lethal raiding.
New Cornell research finds that immediate rewards increase intrinsic motivation by increasing positive experience of a task. This can lead to improved persistence and motivation, with important implications for employee motivation and loyalty programs.
A new study surveyed 330 UK micro-business owners, finding that internalised motivation (fair fiscal system) and extrinsic motivation (severe penalties) predict self-reported tax compliance. Internalised motivation but not extrinsic motivation predicts tax compliance when considered together.
Researchers found that Finsta is used to bond with friends and escape reality, contrary to popular belief. Users post inappropriate content on Finsta to make their friends laugh and archive memories together.
A three-month project by Queensland Ballet and QUT found participants experienced higher energy levels, greater flexibility, improved posture, and enhanced sense of achievement. Ballet participation was also linked to a general feeling of wellbeing and social connections.
Researchers discovered that people who are self-conscious in public may feel more embarrassed when watching ads with embarrassing content. However, adopting an observer's perspective can reduce feelings of embarrassment and increase willingness to take action. The study suggests devising strategies to overcome embarrassment avoidance i...
A new study on attacker motives identifies successful phishing strategies, including authoritative tone and shared interest, which can be used to develop detection tools. The study also found that incentives, such as quicker and larger rewards, motivate attackers to apply more effort in constructing persuasive emails.
The theory proposes that personalities develop around three basic psychological needs: predictability, competence, and acceptance. These needs form the basis of personality and drive behavior. The article also highlights the role of temperament in shaping personality, particularly in children.
A study by TUM researchers found that outdoor instruction enhances students' basic psychological needs, particularly autonomy and competence. This leads to increased motivation in science subjects, with a positive impact on overall learning experience.
A study of nearly 3,000 drinkers found that only a small percentage successfully reduced their alcohol consumption over six months. Despite good intentions, motivation alone is insufficient for reducing intake, with structural support and tools like smartphone apps potentially being effective.
Studies show that female students from low socioeconomic backgrounds benefit from imagining their successful futures to manage stress and tackle academic challenges. The theory of identity-based motivation proposes that this mindset helps students feel ready and able to take action when faced with difficulty.
More than five percent of family physicians failed to recertify, with increased risk among international medical graduates, men, and older doctors. Attrition from board certification may indicate burnout or a transition out of primary care, prompting calls for new interventions to minimize its impact.
A new study by Hebrew University researcher Ran Hassin reveals that our unconscious mind quickly registers faces associated with power and potential threat, while ignoring those deemed trustworthy. The findings have implications for understanding mental disorders such as autism and PTSD.
Research suggests that people's daily frustration with life can lead to recurring nightmares, where they experience falling, failing, or being attacked in their dreams. The study found that those whose psychological needs were not met reported more negative dream themes and struggled to interpret their dreams positively.
Research at National Research University Higher School of Economics found that international students with internal motivation and autonomy experience less culture shock and higher subjective well-being. Conversely, those driven by external factors struggle to adapt. The study's findings can inform preparation strategies for students s...
Researchers found that perceived risk of a romantic relationship ending influences the intensity of love and commitment, leading to reduced feelings when facing high or low risks. Commitment is strongest when there's only a moderate chance of break-up.