Research Methods in Motivational Psychology

Research Methods in Motivation

Kelsey A. Aurness

PSYC3770 – Psychology of Human Motivation and Performance

U08a1 – Research Methods in Motivation

Capella University

May, 2014

Research Methods in Motivation

Introduction

Newton states that behind every action is an equal and opposite reaction. I do not disagree with this but to extend that statement in this class, behind every action there is also a motivational force driving it as well. This course has taught me so many things regarding motivation that I now realize that although the thought that motivation is the force behind every action has always been in the back of my mind, there is so much more to that statement. We have learned that the intensity of that motivation can be a very large deciding factor as well as what type of motivation whether it be internal or external or even to what magnitude of either one.

Researched Study

Emotions can play one of the largest parts in one’s motivational force. It’s an internal factor which can be perceived on a larger scale as well as it’s a more instinctual feeling which often comes with the fact that they cannot be controlled or changed when in the moment. Steps can always be taken before or afterwards to take charge of your emotions and keep you in a more baseline level of thinking but for the most part. I have always thought that emotions and feelings are the most important or one of the most important motivators because in a way, they’re so primal and instinctual. If we feel like we’re going to get into a bad emotional state, we may do almost everything we can consciously or even subconsciously to avoid that situation which is often why relationships can be so tricky. At times in order to overcome that and put ourselves in a negative state for the sake of dealing with a situation head on, there still needs to be a greater outcome that we believe awaits us even if it’s the feeling of being honest and truthful. For an example, let’s say you did something bad in...