Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Self-Discrepancy Theory

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.

Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects

Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects

Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...

The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic

The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic

In order to make good decisions, we use our knowledge and our reasoning. Often, this knowledge and reasoning is sound and solid. However, sometimes, we are swayed by biases or by others manipulating a situation. For example, let’s say you and three friends wanted to rent a house and had a combined target budget of $1,600. The realtor shows you only very run-down houses for $1,600 and then shows you a very nice house for $2,000. Might you ask each person to pay more in rent to get the $2,000...

Importance of Need for Affiliation

Importance of Need for Affiliation

The need for affiliation is a fundamental human motive that drives individuals to form and maintain interpersonal relationships. This universal drive varies in intensity among individuals due to genetic predispositions and life experiences, shaping it into a relatively stable personality trait. Social inclusion enhances emotional well-being by fulfilling the need for affiliation, whereas social exclusion leads to distress, negative emotions, and cognitive impairments.Psychological and Emotional...

Trait Theory by Gordon Allport

Trait Theory by Gordon Allport

Gordon Allport, often regarded as the father of American personality psychology, developed a theory that emphasized the importance of understanding people in their present lives rather than focusing on their past, as psychoanalysis did. Allport believed that personality should be studied in healthy, well-adjusted individuals rather than those with psychological problems. He was particularly interested in defining traits, which he saw as fundamental mental structures that guide behavior across...

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influenced by external stimuli, and individuals adjust their actions based on rewards and punishments. Over time, learning histories — accumulated patterns of reinforcement — play a significant role in shaping personality. Behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished. Radical...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Mental Illness Discrimination in Mental Health Treatment Programs: Intersections of Race, Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation.

Community mental health journal·2016

Same author

Mental health issues in recently returning women veterans: implications for practice.

Social work·2013

Same author

Peer employees' and clinicians' perceptions of public mental illness stigma and discrimination.

Psychiatric rehabilitation journal·2012

Same author

Importance of empathy for social work practice: integrating new science.

Social work·2011

Same author

Stigma in the mental health workplace: perceptions of peer employees and clinicians.

Community mental health journal·2010

Same author

Parents with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse conditions involved in Child Protection Services: clinical profile and treatment needs.

Child welfare·2009

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Published on: January 17, 2025

Conation: a missing link in the strengths perspective.

Karen E Gerdes¹, Layne K Stromwall

¹School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix 85004-0689, USA. kegerdes@asu.edu

|March 12, 2009

Summary

Conation, the purposeful striving aspect of the mind, is crucial for understanding client behavior in social work. Recognizing conative ability enhances strengths-based assessments and interventions.

Area of Science:

Psychology
Social Work
Behavioral Science

Background:

The human mind is often viewed as tripartite, encompassing cognitive, affective, and conative elements.
Conation, representing purposeful action and volition, is a critical yet under-recognized component.
Lack of familiarity with conation among social workers can lead to misunderstanding client goal-directed behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

To define and explain conation in the context of social work practice.
To highlight the importance of conative ability in strengths-based social work.
To demonstrate the applicability of understanding conation through case studies.

Main Methods:

The study utilizes case studies to illustrate the concept of conation.
Examples are provided to show how conative ability influences client and social worker interactions.

More Related Videos

Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes

Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes

Published on: August 29, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Published on: January 17, 2025

Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes

Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes

Published on: August 29, 2016

The authors discuss the implications of conation for assessment and intervention.

Main Results:

Conation is defined as instinct-driven, purposeful action and volition.
Understanding conation is essential for a true strengths-based approach in social work.
Client and social worker conative abilities significantly impact the assessment and intervention processes.

Conclusions:

Conation is a vital aspect of human behavior that requires greater attention in social work.
Integrating the concept of conation can improve the understanding and effectiveness of social work interventions.
Further research into the role of conation in social work is recommended.