Articles tagged with Motivation
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A field study in Malawi reveals that intrinsic excitement about learning is a stronger predictor of school attendance than extrinsic motivation. Stimulating girls' sense of competence and autonomy may be as effective as economic approaches in achieving behavioral change.
Researchers found that consumers prioritize taste and quality over animal welfare concerns when purchasing free-range eggs. The study suggests that consumers view better welfare as connected to a better quality product, leading to higher prices being paid for these products.
A comparative cross-cultural study found that Russians tend to express happiness openly with friends but hide it when interacting with strangers or government officials. Unlike Americans, who hold back positive emotions only when facing issues, Russians view happiness expression as a normal behavior.
A study found that paying users to write product reviews suppresses the number of reviews on social platforms, especially among those who are socially well-connected. The authors argue that this approach undermines the intrinsic motivation for honest reviews and increases the likelihood of fake reviews.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to create personalized mental and physical therapy regimens using gaming features. Gamified applications with scoring systems, avatars, and in-game rewards led to significantly fewer mistakes and higher performance than non-gamified applications.
New research from Michigan State University suggests that a boss's mindset can significantly impact employee motivation. Studies found that leaders with a regulatory focus, or mindset, can adapt their behavior to elicit specific mindsets in employees, whether it's innovation or a more conservative work focus.
A new study suggests that employees who believe their different work identities enhance each other are more productive, while those in conflict see a hit to their performance. The research found that employees who think their roles complement each other have better sales and intrinsic motivation.
Veterinarians often use a directive style, which can limit client emotional connection and motivation. Research suggests that an evidence-based, mutually-driven approach can improve uptake of veterinary recommendations.
Researchers discovered that motivation shifts from promotion to prevention as people make progress toward their goals. This shift can be leveraged to improve goal-attainment by focusing on avoidance strategies rather than positive aspects.
A new study suggests that generic sexual health messages are insufficient for young female tourists, as their motivations and perceptions of risk vary greatly. The research identified five clusters of sexual risk-takers, each with unique characteristics and needs, highlighting the need for targeted and tailored health messages.
A new study from Southern Methodist University found that a self-persuasion app on an iPad motivated low-income parents to vaccinate their teens against human papillomavirus, a cancer-causing virus. The app used audio prompts and guided parents in thinking through the importance of vaccination.
A new study published in Marketing Science found that combining large price discounts with donations to charity can actually reduce sales, as consumers' self-image motivation outweighs their intrinsic motivation to support the charity. The study's authors suggest that marketers should proceed with caution when using these techniques.
A new study in mice reveals that serotonin affects motivation, but only when animals are exploring their environment. Increasing serotonin levels transiently reduces locomotive speed, while long-term stimulation triggers a second effect leading to increased global activity.
Researchers explore how educated individuals resist scientific messages by cherry-picking information to support their beliefs. To change minds, it's essential to understand underlying motivations and tailor messages that align with these roots.
Young people perceive themselves as solely responsible for maintaining their work ability, with employers having a large responsibility to create good working conditions. This perception can lead to low expectations and negative impacts on work ability.
A new approach, SystemChange, focuses on manipulating environments to change habits without relying on individual motivation. This approach has proven effective in reducing screen time, improving sleep, and developing healthy eating and exercise habits.
A new study by psychologist Tomas Jungert found that warm student-teacher relationships are linked to intrinsic motivation, which drives students to defend victims of bullying. In contrast, conflicted teacher-student relationships are associated with extrinsic motivation, leading students to remain bystanders or side with bullies.
A recent study published in Neuron found that hunger is a strong motivational force that can curb rival drives states like thirst, anxiety, and social needs. In the presence of food, activated neurons mimic the state of hunger, suppressing competing systems and guiding motivated behavior.
A new study by University College London found that smoking cannabis makes people less willing to work for money in the short term. The researchers tested motivation levels in volunteers and cannabis addicts, finding no difference between the two groups when not under the influence.
Research found that employees experiencing envy tend to ruminate on social injustice, leading to ego depletion and decreased productivity. High epistemic motivation can contribute to creative output but also exacerbate negative emotions.
Researchers from the University of Missouri found a connection between menopause and decreased physical activity in postmenopausal women. The study suggests that activation of brain receptors may serve as a future treatment to improve motivation for physical activity.
A study found that the novelty factor is a key motivator for e-cigarette use among adolescents, with nearly 70% having heard about e-cigarettes and over 10% using them. E-cigarette use was more common among male respondents who were already using cigarettes and other tobacco products.
A Clemson University psychology professor found that incorporating light physical activity into work or study improves mood, motivation, and morale, while maintaining cognitive performance. The study suggests that sedentary work may not be harmful in the short term, but long-term effects could lead to chronic disease and physical frailty.
A study published in The Open Psychology Journal found a strong correlation between motivation to work and attraction to leisure. Researchers discovered three distinct groupings of individuals based on their strongest motivational factors, suggesting that the 'work hard, play hard' motivation could serve an evolutionary purpose.
A new study found that exercise can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD in adults, including reduced anxiety and depression. The study tested 32 young men with elevated ADHD symptoms and found that a single bout of exercise improved their mood and motivation.
A study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that accentuated eccentric loading training can lead to greater strength gains compared to traditional isoinertial loads. After five weeks, experienced strength-trainers showed improvements in force production, work capacity, and muscle activation.
A new study suggests that helping coworkers can be draining for employees, especially those with high pro-social motivation. Employees should exercise caution when agreeing to help and consider the magnitude of the issue before seeking assistance.
A new study published in Motivation and Emotion found that individuals high in mind-reading motivation exhibit better teamwork, have nuanced understandings of others, and are drawn to messages from identifiable sources. This construct, developed by Melanie Green and colleagues, has implications for advertising and relationships.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that electronic monitoring significantly increased hand-hygiene compliance among healthcare workers. However, compliance rates dropped when monitoring was stopped, highlighting the need for a broader strategy to sustain improvement.
A CU-Boulder study found that daily monetary incentives increased fruit and vegetable consumption among participants. Internal motivation to eat such produce also increased over time, suggesting a potential direction for future incentive research in terms of psychological factors related to changing behavior.
Researchers found that award programs may crowd out intrinsic motivation in employees who are already performing well, leading to decreased motivation and productivity. The study suggests that firms should carefully consider the potential costs of implementing such programs.
A study in mice reveals a specific brain region, the ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus, is responsible for aggressive motivations that lead to violence. The research suggests targeting this region could lead to better control of aggressive behaviors without sedation.
New research reveals that empathy is composed of two forms: cognitive (understanding) and affective (feeling). When partners have accurate knowledge but lack compassionate feelings, they tend to be less supportive. However, when both accuracy and concern are present, responsiveness increases.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new brain imaging strategy that allows people to control their motivational centers, leading to healthier and more productive lives. By using neurofeedback, participants were able to learn which strategies worked and adopt more effective ones.
A new study shows that large companies in developed countries prioritize social acceptance over profit maximization in their sustainability management activities. Legitimacy-oriented measures, such as improving employee motivation and reputation, are more important than profit-driven tools like eco-efficiency analyses.
A recent study published in the Journal of Intercollegiate Sport found that varsity athletes with high obsessive passion towards their sport are more likely to accept the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In contrast, athletes with high harmonious passion tend to have conservative attitudes towards PEDs.
A TSRI study reveals that a specific endocannabinoid called 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) acts as a molecular switch to increase motivation to consume nicotine. By blocking its production, compounds like 1,2,3-triazole urea inhibitors may restore the brain's balance and reduce nicotine's effects.
A new study from UTA explores the motivations behind adult learners' decision to pursue an engineering degree. Adult learners aged 25 and older are driven by perceived prestige and high career goals, including graduate school or internships. The study offers recommendations for campus policies and practices to support these students.
A new study by Jasmine Hu of the University of Notre Dame found that team members motivated to benefit others exhibit higher levels of cooperation, viability, and performance. These teams also tend to have lower member turnover rates and stronger interpersonal ties.
Researchers at Oxford University found that apathetic individuals showed more activity in the pre-motor cortex when making decisions, despite being less likely to accept effortful choices. This suggests that biology, not attitude, may be the root cause of apathy in some people.
The Self, Motivation and Virtue Project at OU is funding interdisciplinary research on moral self and virtue development. Researchers are studying topics including integrity, cultural narratives, and Buddhism's central claims about the self.
Researchers found that high math motivation can buffer the negative effects of math anxiety on math learning, while low motivation is linked to poor math performance. The study used twin data and college student samples to investigate the complex relationship between math anxiety, motivation, and math achievement.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that negative publicity surrounding police actions can reduce officers' motivation to perform their duties, but does not decrease their willingness to engage in community partnerships. Fair treatment and confidence in authority can counteract these effects.
Research finds that motivating patients with spinal cord injury activates the brain's motor cortex, promoting early-stage recovery. Psychological support is crucial for functional reinstatement of hand control.
A new Iowa State University study finds that mobile app engagement directly impacts consumer purchasing behavior, leading to increased spending among customers who use interactive features. Companies must create value-driven apps to capitalize on the growing market, with ongoing monitoring and maintenance crucial for success.
A new study by Baylor University researchers reveals that taking mid-morning breaks is more beneficial than traditional afternoon breaks for boosting energy, concentration, and motivation. The research also suggests that preferred break activities, such as work-related tasks, are key to restful recovery and improved job satisfaction.
Researchers found that tears help to relieve emotions, leading to an improvement in mood, even if it takes time for the feelings to recover
A QUT study found that solo travelers prioritize freedom, meeting new people, and self-discovery over having a companion. Despite challenges like extra costs and safety concerns, the positives outweigh the negatives, making solo travel an increasingly popular option.
A new study from the American Marketing Association suggests that paying off small debts first can provide a significant motivation boost, leading to faster completion of even the most burdensome tasks. By focusing on smaller victories, individuals may be able to overcome procrastination and tackle larger goals with renewed energy.
A recent study suggests that positive reinforcement drives improved performance in children with ADHD on certain cognitive tasks. The research, conducted by University at Buffalo researchers, reveals that motivation, not lower-than-average cognitive abilities, plays a crucial role in the diagnosis.
A new survey of over 850 US women found that relaxing beach vacations are perfect for sexual experimentation with a steady partner, while group tours and sightseeing trips are ideal for casual sex with acquaintances or strangers. Women tend to underestimate risks in non-penetrative activities and overestimate condom protection.
A study published in Motivation and Emotion found that performing acts of kindness can help socially anxious individuals reduce their desire to avoid social situations. This intervention showed a greater reduction in patients' avoidance goals compared to those only exposed to social interactions without engaging in good deeds.
A study led by Belinda Campos found that people are highly attuned to others' positive emotions and can form new social bonds based on these displays. Awareness of others' positive emotions can provide important relationship information, helping individuals feel secure in their relationships and resolve conflicts.
Researchers discovered that near wins, such as coming close to winning a game or scratch-off lottery ticket, can intensify motivational energy and lead individuals to pursue unrelated goals. This 'near win' effect is thought to extend motivation beyond the original goal, resulting in faster completion of tasks.
A new study released in Science found that subsidies are essential for increasing the use of hygienic latrines in developing countries. The community-motivation model alone was ineffective, but combining it with subsidies expanded latrine coverage substantially, particularly among poor households.
A study of over 13,000 twins found that genetic inheritance can explain 40-50% of the differences in children's motivation to learn. The results suggest that personality differences inherited from parents have a major impact on motivation, challenging the idea that environment is solely responsible.
A WSU study found that young adults learn more about the dangers of smoking when warnings are presented in images and text, leading to increased worry and discouragement from smoking. The labels used in the study emphasized negative consequences associated with lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
A new study reveals that women are more open to trying new products and services when they are ovulating. This increased desire for variety is not due to conscious decision-making but rather a natural response driven by their reproductive cycle.
A study by Luxi Shen and colleagues found that uncertainty motivates people to put in more effort to obtain uncertain rewards. In experiments, consumers completed tasks for lower potential rewards when the outcome was uncertain, highlighting the motivating-uncertainty effect.
Employees who point out problems may become mentally fatigued, defensive, and experience a drop-off in production. Suggesting ideas for improvement can have a positive effect, but finding a balance between constructive feedback and positivity is key.