Theories of motivation: Integration and ways forward

Abstract

Motivation is fundamental to human agency and volitional behavior, and several influential theories have been proposed to explain why individuals choose or persist in a course of action (over others). New terms and concepts have proliferated as the theoretical models aim to be comprehensive, at the expense of parsimony. The theoretical models covered in this special issue each have their unique aspects and contributions, but four major dimensions cut across them: person factors comprising self (expectations, self-efficacy), social (modeling, comparisons), and cognitive aspects (self-regulation); task values; goals; and perceived costs and benefits. Motivation is determined by a complex inter..