Definition
Motivation is a process of interaction between the learner and the environment, which is marked by selection, initiation, increase, or persistence of goal-directed behavior. It has been thought of variously as a quality of the individual, the situation, or the activity in which the individual is engaged.
Theoretical Background
In the broadest sense, motivation is used to explain the increase or decrease in the frequency and/or intensity of an individual’s goal-seeking behavior. It has been described as both a quality of an individual and a result of the individual’s interactions with the situation. As an individual trait, we describe a person as being motivated, implying that the force behind behavior change is within the individual regardless of the situation. As a characteristic of the situation, we describe circumstances as being motivating, implying that it is the conditions under which a person is performing that...
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References
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Svinicki, M.D., Vogler, J.S. (2012). Motivation and Learning: Modern Theories. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_392
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