Motivation Science

Scope & Guideline

Bridging Theory and Practice in Motivation Science

Introduction

Welcome to the Motivation Science information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Motivation Science, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN2333-8113
PublisherEDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING FOUNDATION-AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2019 to 2024
AbbreviationMOTIV SCI / Motiv. Sci.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address750 FIRST ST, NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20002-4242

Aims and Scopes

Motivation Science is dedicated to advancing the understanding of human motivation through empirical research and theoretical exploration. The journal emphasizes the interplay between motivational processes and various psychological constructs, aiming to bridge the gap between motivation theory and practical applications in diverse contexts.
  1. Understanding Motivational Constructs:
    The journal focuses on various motivational theories, including Self-Determination Theory, Expectancy-Value Theory, and others, examining how these frameworks can explain human behavior and goal-directed actions.
  2. Empirical Research on Motivation:
    Motivation Science publishes empirical studies that investigate the antecedents, processes, and consequences of motivation in different domains, such as education, health, and social behavior.
  3. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that integrates perspectives from psychology, neuroscience, education, and behavioral economics to provide a comprehensive understanding of motivation.
  4. Applications of Motivation Science:
    Research published in the journal often explores practical applications of motivational theories in real-world settings, such as educational interventions, workplace motivation, and health behavior change.
  5. Cultural and Contextual Factors:
    The journal examines how cultural and contextual factors influence motivation, recognizing that motivation is not a one-size-fits-all construct but varies across different populations and settings.
Motivation Science is currently witnessing a dynamic evolution in its research themes, with several emerging areas gaining traction. This section outlines the trending themes that reflect contemporary interests in motivation research and their potential implications.
  1. Psychological Reactance:
    Recent publications emphasize the concept of psychological reactance, exploring how individuals respond to perceived threats to their freedom and autonomy, which has implications for understanding motivation in compliance and behavior change.
  2. Self-Regulation and Goal Pursuit:
    There is an increasing trend in research investigating self-regulation processes and their impact on goal pursuit, highlighting the significance of self-control and metacognition in achieving personal objectives.
  3. Contextual Influences on Motivation:
    Emerging studies are focusing on how situational and cultural contexts shape motivational dynamics, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of contextual factors in understanding motivation.
  4. Sustainable and Prosocial Motivation:
    Research linking motivation to sustainable behaviors and prosocial actions is on the rise, reflecting a growing interest in how motivational factors can drive positive societal change amid global challenges like climate change.
  5. Technology and Motivation:
    The intersection of technology and motivation is increasingly being explored, particularly in relation to how digital environments and tools can enhance or inhibit motivational processes in various settings.

Declining or Waning

While Motivation Science continues to explore a wide array of motivational themes, certain areas have shown a decline in focus over recent years. This section highlights these waning themes, which may reflect changing research priorities or emerging interests in other motivational aspects.
  1. Aggression and Motivation:
    Research focusing on the intersection of aggression and motivation has been less prominent in recent publications, suggesting a potential shift away from exploring aggressive motivations towards more constructive and prosocial motivational themes.
  2. Neurobiological Underpinnings of Motivation:
    Although the neurobiological aspects of motivation were once a significant focus, the recent trend shows a decrease in studies explicitly linking neuroscience with motivational theories, indicating a possible waning interest in this area.
  3. Habitual Behavior and Motivation:
    The exploration of habitual behavior in relation to motivation appears to be declining, as fewer studies are published that address how habits influence motivational states or goal pursuit.
  4. Environmental Motivational Factors:
    While environmental influences on motivation have been discussed, there has been a noticeable reduction in studies specifically examining environmental factors, potentially due to a shift towards more individual-focused motivational research.

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