Motivation for Learning and Performance

Designed for educators, researchers, practitioners, or anyone interested in maximizing human potential, Motivation for Learning and Performance outlines 50 key motivation principles based on the latest scientific evidence from the disciplines of psychology, education, business, athletics, and neurology. Using a highly applied and conversational style, the book is designed to inform the reader about how to diagnosis, analyze, and mediate learning and performance challenges influenced by motivation.

The book features chapters on the biopsychology of motivation, how motivation changes across the lifespan, and the important influence of culture on motivated behavior. Three chapters are devoted to practical strategies and the implementation of motivational change. Special sections are included on enhancing motivation at work, in the classroom, in competitive environments, and during online education.

Hoffman employs the innovative approach of using his interviews with "real" people including many notable personalities across diverse cultures and disciplines to illustrate motivated behavior. For example, readers will learn what motivated the colossal investment fraud masterminded by Bernie Madoff, the intimate thoughts of former NFL superstar Nick Lowery when he missed a field goal, and the joys and tribulations of Emmy-nominated "Curb your Enthusiasm" actress Cheryl Hines.

The book provides a practical, applied, and multi-disciplinary resource for anyone interested in motivation and performance, but especially for university students at the graduate or undergraduate level studying education, psychology, business, leadership, hospitality, sports management, or military science.  Additionally, the writing style and eclectic nature of the text will appeal to readers of non-fiction who can use the book to gain self-awareness to enhance performance of themselves or others.

• Considers motivation for both learning and performance
• Identifies 50 foundational principles relating to motivation
• Provides research evidence supporting the foundational principles
• Includes interviews from famous individuals, identifying what motivated them and why
• Includes research from psychology, education, neuroscience, business, and sports

Graduate courses in motivation and performance, researchers in cognitive psychology, applied psychology, and sports psychology

• Preface
• The design of the book
• The style of the book
• The structure of the book
• Key components of the book
• Acknowledgments
• Part I: The framework of human motivation
• 1. Underpinnings: Five foundational doctrines of motivational science
• Introduction
• Principle #1—Motivational inequality is a measurable reality
• Principle #2—Motivation can be defined, but not universally
• Principle #3—There is no such thing as being unmotivated
• Principle #4—Behavior≠motivation, and there are no "motivational" types
• Principle #5—Individuals may not recognize or understand their own motives
• References
• 2. Contentious issues: How evidence refutes motivational misconceptions
• Principle #6—Motivational beliefs differ from motivational knowledge
• Principle #7—Motivational evidence can only answer certain questions
• Principle #8—Motivation is related to learning and performance but causality is an uncertainty
• Principle #9—Motivation is subordinate to character and personality
• Principle #10—Motivation is the responsibility of leaders and can be taught
• Principle #11—Theoretically, motivated behavior operates on a continuum
• Principle #12—Optimal motivation is obtainable
• References
• 3. The biopsychology of motivation: Using evidence from neurology and endocrinology to understand motivated behavior
• Principle #13—Neurological/endocrinological evidence informs or refutes behavioral evidence
• Principle #14—Neurological/endocrinological inferences are multi-dimensional
• Principle #15—The brain is a perceptual filter influencing subjective reality
• Principle #16—Neurological system organization facilitates or inhibits action
• Principle #17—Power and social dominance displays mimic sympathetic nervous system activation
• Principle #18—Displays of affiliation mimic parasympathetic nervous system activation
• Principle #19—Achievement and incentive reward share similar neural response patterns
• Principle #20—Humanity is motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain
• Principle #21—Motivated behavior is heritable and evolutionary
• References
• 4. Ch, ch, changes: The developmental trajectory of motivation
• Principle #22—Biological change is predictable, motivational change is not
• Principle #23—Academic and competency motives have developmental trajectories
• Principle #24—Excellence judgments influence effort direction and intensity
• Principle #25—Evolution of values and morality mediate moral motivation
• Principle #26—Gender congruity evaluations substantially influence perceptions of "fit"
• References
• 5. A rose by any other name: The influence of culture on motivated behavior
• Principle #27—Culture transcends demographics
• Principle #28—Ethnic identity shapes self-concept and self-relevant motivations
• Principle #29—Motivational differences exist between individualistic and collectivistic cultures
• Principle #30—Communication and language patterns are revealing cultural markers
• Principle #31—Leadership is subjectively interpreted according to culture
• References
• Part II: The powerful role of individual differences and self-beliefs
• 6. You say to-may-toe, I say to-mah-toe: Individual differences in motives guide focus and effort
• Principle #32—The source of motives determines goal emphasis and strategy choice
• Principle #33—Individual reaction to incentives is variable, and predictable
• Principle #34—Goal type and orientation are reliable and accurate predictors of behavior
• Principle #35—Interest is a multi-faceted contributor to motivational intensity
• References
• 7. Mount Rushmore: Bedrock theories of applied motivation
• Principle #36—Past performance guides future motivation
• Principle #37—Certain motives are extraordinarily difficult to suppress
• Principle #38—After ability, self-efficacy explains more performance variation than any other motivational self-belief
• Principle #39—Motivational theory is applied temporally and situationally
• References
• 8. Can I see the real me?: The powerful influence of self-beliefs on motivated behavior
• Principle #40—The psychological or physical presence of others may alter normative behavior
• Principle #41—Pro-social behaviors are compliant, adaptive, and predictable
• Principle #42—Pro-social motives are egoistic and altruistic
• Principle #43—Performance inhibiting strategies augment self-worth
• References
• 9. No place to hide: Motivation and emotion
• Principle #44—Emotional reactions are localized, subjective, and learned
• Principle #45—Anxiety and boredom are performance-restricting culprits
• Principle #46—Positive affect is a powerful performance determinant
• Principle #47—Individuals restructure affect to regulate their emotions
• References
• Part III: Mediation and implementation strategies to promote optimal learning and performance
• 10. Ready, aim, fire…repeat?: Self-regulation strategies to improve adaptive motivation
• Principle #48—Self-regulation is personalized, transitory, and marginally predictable
• Principle #49—Self-regulatory ability is depletable; accurate calibration is essential
• Principle #50—Optimal motivation demands monitoring, metacognition, and metamotivation
• References
• 11. Location, location, location: Creating and implementing context-specific interventions
• Promoting adaptive academic motivation
• Strategies to motivate work performance
• Optimizing motivation for athletic and public performances
• Motivational strategies to enhance online learning and instructional design
• References
• 12. The transformers: Overcoming resistance to motivational change
• Why do people resist change?
• Which strategies will individuals use to refute change?
• Overcoming change resistance in others
• Instructional strategies supporting conceptual change
• Learning from leaders
• Epilogue
• References
• Appendix. Measuring motivation
• References
• Index