The role of metamotivation in creating task-motivation fit
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Date
2016
Authors
Scholer, Abigail A.
Miele, David B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Abstract
One of the challenges of effective goal pursuit is being able to flexibly adapt to changing situations and demands. The current studies investigate whether individuals exhibit effective metamotivation—successful management of one’s motivational states—in creating fit between an optimal motivational orientation and specific task demands (e.g., inducing a promotion focus, as opposed to prevention focus, in preparation for an eager brainstorming task). Using regulatory focus theory as a framework, 5 studies provide evidence that although North American individuals exhibit some metamotivational awareness of task-motivation fit in the realm of regulatory focus, they may also have competing beliefs that promotion motivation is generally better, regardless of task type. Given this tension, having metamotivational awareness of task-motivation fit did not always lead to successful behavioral enactment (Studies 3–5). We discuss connections to metacognition and implications for the role of flexibility in self-regulation.
Description
© American Psychological Association, 2016. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available, upon publication, at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/mot0000043
Keywords
Regulatory Focus, Motivation, Flexibility, Metacognition, Regulatory Fit