New directions in self-regulation: the role of metamotivational beliefs

Scholer, A. A., Miele, D. B., Murayama, K. and Fujita, K. (2018) New directions in self-regulation: the role of metamotivational beliefs. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 27 (6). pp. 437-442. ISSN 0963-7214 doi: 10.1177/0963721418790549

Abstract/Summary

Research on self-regulation has primarily focused on how people exert control over their thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Less attention has been paid to the ways in which people manage their motivational states in the service of achieving valued goals. In the present paper, we explore an emerging line of research that focuses on people’s beliefs about their own motivation (i.e., their metamotivational knowledge), as well as the influence of these beliefs on their selection of regulatory strategies. In particular, we review evidence showing that people are often quite sensitive to the fact that distinct motivational states (e.g., eagerness vs. vigilance) are adaptive for different kinds of tasks. We also discuss how other metamotivational beliefs are inaccurate on average (e.g., beliefs about how rewards affect intrinsic motivation). Finally, we consider the implications of metamotivation research for the field of self-regulation and discuss future directions.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/77658
Identification Number/DOI	10.1177/0963721418790549
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology
Publisher	Sage
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