From Readiness to Action: How Motivation Works

• Authors: Arie W. Kruglanski , Marina Chernikova , Noa Schori-Eyal
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

We present a new theoretical construct labeled motivational readiness. It is defined as the inclination, whether or not ultimately implemented, to satisfy a desire. A general model of readiness is described which builds on the work of prior theories, including animal learning models and personality approaches, and which aims to integrate a variety of research findings across different domains of motivational research. Components of this model include the Want state (that is, an individual’s currently active desire), and the Expectancy of being able to satisfy that Want. We maintain that the Want concept is the critical ingredient in motivational readiness: without it, readiness cannot exist. In contrast, some motivational readiness can exist without Expectancy. We also discuss the role of incentive in motivational readiness. Incentive is presently conceived of in terms of a Match between a Want and a Perceived Situational Affordance. Whereas in classic models incentive was portrayed as a first order determinant of motivational readiness, here we describe it as a second order factor which affects readiness by influencing Want, Expectancy, or both. The new model’s relation to its theoretical predecessors, and its implications for future research, also are discussed.

Keywords

EN

motivation; want; expectancy; incentive

• Publisher: Committee for Psychological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Polish Psychological Bulletin
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 259-267

Dates

published

2014-09-01

online

2014-09-09

Contributors

author

Arie W. Kruglanski

• University of Maryland

author

Marina Chernikova

• University of Maryland

author

Noa Schori-Eyal

• University of Maryland

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/ppb-2014-0032