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Related Concept Videos

Ryan and Deci's Self-Determination Theory01:17

Ryan and Deci's Self-Determination Theory

Self-Determination Theory (SDT), formulated by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, explains that human motivation is driven by three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When these needs are met, individuals experience personal growth, intrinsic motivation, and overall well-being.
Autonomy is the need to feel in control of one's actions and decisions. For example, a student who chooses their research topic is likely to be more engaged and motivated than one who is...
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification03:00

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation01:27

Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation

Power motivation and achievement motivation are two essential social motives identified by psychologist David McClelland. These motives influence behavior in various personal and professional contexts, shaping how individuals interact with others and pursue their goals.
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation01:18

Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation

Incentive theory, or the "pull theory" of motivation, suggests that external rewards primarily drive behavior. Individuals are motivated to engage in activities when they anticipate a desirable outcome. This is why people often work hard for promotions or study intensively to achieve high grades. These incentives can be tangible, physical rewards such as money or promotions, or intangible, non-physical rewards like praise and social recognition.
The theory differentiates between intrinsic and...
Humanistic Psychology01:24

Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the deterministic and pessimistic nature of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. While behaviorism focused on observable behaviors influenced by the environment and psychoanalysis delved into unconscious motivations, both theories suggested that human actions lacked free will. In contrast, humanistic psychology offers a perspective that emphasizes the innate potential for goodness and growth within every individual.
This approach...
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
12:55

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties

Published on: September 27, 2020

Intrinsic motivation and positive development.

Reed W Larson1, Natalie Rusk

  • 1Department of Human and Community Development, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Advances in Child Development and Behavior
|December 25, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intrinsic motivation (IM) drives learning and development by enhancing engagement and cognitive strategies. Cultivating IM in youth, especially adolescents, is crucial for their personal growth and educational success.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
12:55

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties

Published on: September 27, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Intrinsic motivation (IM) is a key driver of learning and positive development.
  • Research demonstrates IM's association with enhanced engagement, perseverance, and deeper information processing.
  • IM is linked to more effective and efficient learning outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize research on intrinsic motivation (IM).
  • To examine the determinants of IM across multiple levels.
  • To provide guidance for cultivating IM in youth, particularly adolescents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature synthesis of decades of scientific research on intrinsic motivation.
  • Analysis of factors influencing IM, from activity conditions to personal and cultural values.
  • Development of guiding principles for fostering IM in youth.

Main Results:

  • Intrinsic motivation enhances engagement, perseverance, metacognitive strategies, and information processing.
  • IM arises from a convergence of factors including immediate conditions, personal goals, cultural values, and dispositions.
  • Youth possess significant potential to develop and regulate their IM, especially during adolescence.

Conclusions:

  • Intrinsic motivation is a powerful catalyst for learning and development.
  • Cultivating IM requires addressing factors at multiple levels.
  • Youth professionals can effectively foster IM through targeted strategies, particularly during adolescence.