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Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models

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On motivational readiness.

Arie W Kruglanski¹, Marina Chernikova¹, Emily Rosenzweig¹

¹Department of Psychology, University of Maryland.

Psychological Review

|August 5, 2014

Summary

This study introduces motivational readiness, defined as the willingness to act on a desire. Key factors are the magnitude of the Want (desire) and the Expectancy of satisfaction, with Want being the primary driver.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Behavioral Science
Motivation Theory

Background:

Prior research on motivation includes animal learning models and personality approaches.
Existing theories often view incentive as a primary driver of motivation.
A gap exists in a unified, comprehensive theory of motivational readiness.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and explore the construct of motivational readiness.
To present a general theory of motivational readiness.
To re-conceptualize the role of incentive in motivation.

Main Methods:

Developed a general theory of motivational readiness.
Defined key parameters: Want state magnitude and Expectancy.
Reviewed a diverse body of evidence from psychological research.

Main Results:

Motivational readiness depends on both Want and Expectancy, with Want being essential.
Incentive is a second-order factor, influencing readiness via Want and/or Expectancy.
The proposed theory integrates concepts from various psychological domains.

Conclusions:

The presented theory offers a novel framework for understanding motivational readiness.
The theory highlights the primacy of desire (Want) in driving motivated action.
This work provides a foundation for new research hypotheses in motivation and behavior.