Motivation: A difficult concept to define
By Cindy Sexton
EDI 600 Psychological Foundation of Education
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
April 8, 2009
What is motivation? Such an interesting question and one I never really gave much thought. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to explain it. We all know it’s something we have or don’t have but to put an actual definition on it is so difficult. I found it interesting how some students are motivated by negative consequences rather then positive ones. The thought of something bad happening or getting in trouble is what drives their motivation.
For me, I’m more motivated by positive outcomes. I feel the fire within when the result is something I want bad enough. This is exactly what is happening with my self- management project. My goal was to eat healthy and remember to eat in general. The added motivation for me was by eating better; I would possibly be in better shape. Usually when I eat better it makes me want to exercise as well. This is all positive motivation based upon something I want.
Each class I’m amazed how thought provoking it is. The topics are almost always issues that really cause me to think. We all know about motivation, but when asked to describe it, we all had such a hard time.
Long Island University, C. W. Post
April 8, 2009
What is motivation? Such an interesting question and one I never really gave much thought. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to explain it. We all know it’s something we have or don’t have but to put an actual definition on it is so difficult. I found it interesting how some students are motivated by negative consequences rather then positive ones. The thought of something bad happening or getting in trouble is what drives their motivation.
For me, I’m more motivated by positive outcomes. I feel the fire within when the result is something I want bad enough. This is exactly what is happening with my self- management project. My goal was to eat healthy and remember to eat in general. The added motivation for me was by eating better; I would possibly be in better shape. Usually when I eat better it makes me want to exercise as well. This is all positive motivation based upon something I want.
Each class I’m amazed how thought provoking it is. The topics are almost always issues that really cause me to think. We all know about motivation, but when asked to describe it, we all had such a hard time.
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