Motivation and Action

Cambridge University Press
Edition: 2, 7/29/2010
EAN 9780521149136, ISBN10: 0521149134

Paperback, 538 pages, 25.4 x 20.3 x 2.8 cm
Language: English

In this book Heckhausen and Heckhausen give an extensive and in-depth overview of the diverse lines of research in motivational psychology, in terms of its historical foundations, up-to-date conceptual developments and empirical research. The major classes of motivated behavior, such as achievement, affiliation and power, are addressed and the critical processes involved in motivation and volition are discussed in detail. Different conceptual and empirical lines of research, such as implicit/explicit motivation, intrinsic/extrinsic motivation/volition, causal attribution, childhood and lifespan development, education, personality and psychopathology are integrated and analyzed as to the common issues and phenomena they address, thus providing a most useful guideline for understanding debates in current motivational, educational and social psychology.

1. Motivation and action
introduction and overview J. Heckhausen and H. Heckhausen
2. Historical trends in motivation research H. Heckhausen
3. Trait theories of motivation D. Scheffer and H. Heckhausen
4. Situational determinants of behavior J. Beckmann and H. Heckhausen
5. Motivation as a function of expectancy and incentive J. Beckmann and H. Heckhausen
6. Achievement motivation J. C. Brunstein and H. Heckhausen
7. Social bonding
affiliation motivation and intimacy motivation K. Sokolowski and H. Heckhausen
8. Power motivation H.-D. Schmalt and H. Heckhausen
9. Implicit and explicit motives J. C. Brunstein
10. Biopsychological aspects of motivation O. C. Schultheiss and M. M. Wirth
11. Motivation and volition in the course of action A. Achtziger and P. M. Gollwitzer
12. Individual differences in self-regulation J. Kuhl
13. Intrinsic motivation and flow F. Rheinberg
14. Causal attribution of behavior and achievement J. Stiensmeier-Pelster and H. Heckhausen
15. Motivation and development J. Heckhausen and H. Heckhausen.

I am pleased with the additional strengths this text brings to the field, updating the original and expanding into new areas of research on motivation and action. The book provokes student thinking, challenges mainstream conceptions of motivation, and expands the motivational episode to include deliberate study of volitional dynamics in realized action. I recommend this book and think that readers will find it an excellent opportunity to re-examine and expand their assumptions about motivational dynamics.” – Mary McCaslin, Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Arizona