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The course of motivation

Journal of Consumer PsychologyPublished 17 May 2011
Maferima Touré‐Tillery, Ayelet Fishbach
Citations86
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score4.55
SNIP2.33

Abstract

Abstract This article explores the course of motivation in pursuing various goals. We distinguish between two dimensions of motivation: the motivation to attain a focal goal (outcome‐focused dimension) and the motivation to “do things right” in the process of reaching that goal (means‐focused dimension). We identify the conditions under which the motivation to reach a focal goal increases versus decreases over the course of goal pursuit. We then propose that the motivation to “do things right” follows a u‐shaped pattern, such that it is higher at the beginning and end of goal pursuit than in the middle.

Keywords

PsychologySocial Sciences