Cognition and Motivation
Change is not always an easy process, but motivation can assist in completing it. For example, some change is motivated by short-term needs that can be easily met (e.g., hunger motivates you to eat; being tired motivates you to sleep; and being thirsty motivates you to drink). Other change is motivated by long-term needs that cannot be easily met (e.g., good health motivates you to quit smoking; having a low-paying job motivates you to obtain more education; or vanity motivates you to diet and lose weight).
What psychologists wonder is: "Which came first-the chicken or the egg?" In other words, do you change your thinking first, and then a behavioral change follows, or do you change your behavior first, and then a thinking change follows? Perhaps it is a combination of both. Psychologists are still in disagreement about how motivation explains cognitive change, but beginning in the 1970s, they began to develop theories to explain it. To prepare for this Discussion, review these theories in this week's Learning Resources, and select one to use for this assignment. Begin to consider how this theory explains cognitive change.
Post by day 3 is an explanation of how the theory you selected explains cognitive change. Explain why you think this theory is superior to others in explaining this relationship. Support your response with references to the literature and the Learning Resources.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
Respond by Day 5 to at least one of your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:
• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague's posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
Click on the Reply button below to reveal the text box for entering your message. Then click on the Submit button to post your message.