Martin L. Maehr - Böcker

This volume has chapters from leading researchers and scholars on the state-of-the-art for different theoretical perspectives in motivation research. The chapters provide an overview of the leading social cognitive motivational theories and the current issues that these models and perspectives are confronting at the edge of motivational science. There are chapters on self-efficacy theory, self-concept theory, goal theory, social motivation theory, motivation and cognition models, motivation and health, motivation and work, motivation and sports, and motivation and education.

For nearly two decades, this series has reflected and chronicled the interests, insights, findings and concerns of motivational researchers. This volume is unique in that it grew out of a conference honoring a major contributor to the motivational literature, Carol Midgley. Yet, it too reflects the richness and variety that exists across motivation research today. While the authors tend to work within a goal theory perspective, they reflect concerns with the range of questions that interest motivation researchers more broadly. True to the tradition established by Carol Midgley, the chapters also exhibit a considered and creative concern with the "real world of achievement". The studies reported or reviewed are largely field-based. The implications drawn have relevance to practitioner as well as theorist. Especially noteworthy is that this collection of chapters does more than review the past. It points to the future - in several ways: asking challenging questions, regarding the implications of current motivation theory for school reform, portraying the potential of new research methods, re-examining tried and true conceptions of the nature and nurture of motivation, and, suggesting new issues and pointing to new venues for application. All in all, this particular volume stands not only as a testament to the life and work of one major figure in the field, but goes a considerable distance in reflecting the diversity of interests and concerns within motivation research more broadly. It also points to what is missing, what has been overlooked, and what needs to be done. Those who are especially concerned with theory, research methods, or applications will each find something of interest and of worth - regardless of their theoretical perspective or specific research focus.

Considerable evidence indicates that religion is a motivational force in the lives of most of the world's population, and recent social and political events have placed religion center stage. Motivation is considered an essential component of any adequate answer to the question, 'Why religion?'. That question concerned early psychologists, such as Freud and James, but was relatively neglected with the ascendancy of behaviorism. It has since regained momentum as an important area of research and scholarship. In spite of the fact that motivational principles are implicit in many analytical treatments of religion, and that some articles and book chapters discuss motivation and religion, this literature is widely dispersed and confined primarily to Judeo-Christian world views. This volume of the "Advances" series presents a systematic approach to the topic, as viewed through the lens of such contemporary theories of motivation as expectancy-value, self-determination, and achievement goal theory. An international group of scholars offers a comprehensive view of how such theories help to understand religiosity and its impact on human experiences and behavior. In addition, authors consider the implications of religious experiences and behavior for motivation theory. Separately, these contributions provide unique perspectives. Collectively, they represent the prominent theoretical approaches to motivation, include the world's dominant religions, and address a wide variety of significant issues related to this very significant subject.

This series is designed to reflect current research and theory concerned with motivation and achievement in work, school and play. Each volume focuses on a particular issue or theme and the series has a special goal of bringing the best in social science to bear on socially significant problems.

The writing of this book was in part supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSFEHR 0335369). It represents a significant extension and enriched interpretation of earlier work on “motivation as an instructional outcome” (e.g., Maehr, 1976). Such enrichment and enhancement was prompted by the work on the project as it was conceptualized and envisioned by Paul Pintrich---and later, following his untimely death, carried out by a cadre of students and colleagues, including especially his Wife, Life Partner and also oft-time collaborator in multiple research and scholarly endeavors: Dr. Elizabeth DeGroot as well as several colleagues, including, the author of this volume and Dr. Stuart Karabenick.Of course, it is the primary author of this volume who must bear the responsibility for omissions, errors and interpretations that may have slipped into the text. But whatever portions of this volume may be deemed worthy of consideration and possibly of some value for fellow scholars presently or in the future --- and also contribute in at least some small way not only to continuing scholarly study of “The Most important attitude that can be formed: “That of Desire to go on Learning.” But therewith here and there also prove useful not only for scholars and the development of an increased understanding of the nature and nurture of motivation and its impact on the pursuit of knowledge but also prove useful to students in preparing to become educators --- and perhaps also of value to experienced educational practitioners ---- and here there maybe also to parents and others with a concern for the nature and nurture of excellence in teaching and learning.

The writing of this book was in part supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSFEHR 0335369). It represents a significant extension and enriched interpretation of earlier work on “motivation as an instructional outcome” (e.g., Maehr, 1976). Such enrichment and enhancement was prompted by the work on the project as it was conceptualized and envisioned by Paul Pintrich---and later, following his untimely death, carried out by a cadre of students and colleagues, including especially his Wife, Life Partner and also oft-time collaborator in multiple research and scholarly endeavors: Dr. Elizabeth DeGroot as well as several colleagues, including, the author of this volume and Dr. Stuart Karabenick.Of course, it is the primary author of this volume who must bear the responsibility for omissions, errors and interpretations that may have slipped into the text. But whatever portions of this volume may be deemed worthy of consideration and possibly of some value for fellow scholars presently or in the future --- and also contribute in at least some small way not only to continuing scholarly study of “The Most important attitude that can be formed: “That of Desire to go on Learning.” But therewith here and there also prove useful not only for scholars and the development of an increased understanding of the nature and nurture of motivation and its impact on the pursuit of knowledge but also prove useful to students in preparing to become educators --- and perhaps also of value to experienced educational practitioners ---- and here there maybe also to parents and others with a concern for the nature and nurture of excellence in teaching and learning.

In 1984, the "Advances in Motivation and Achievement" series was launched with Martin Maehr serving as one of the series editors. Professor Maehr has remained a constant in the series that has evolved through this, the 15th volume, and the last on which he will serve as an editor. Over its 25 year history, the series has consistently highlighted the work of top scholars in the field of motivation research, and this volume continues that tradition. The theme of Volume 15 is social-psychological approaches to the study of motivation and achievement, and the chapters herein cover a broad range of topics, from the influence of peers to the influence of color, on motivation and achievement. The contributors include a range as well, from some of the most well-respected veterans in motivation research to influential new voices. The emphasis on excellent and groundbreaking research that Professor Maehr has cultivated in this series is well represented in the current volume, a must-have for motivation researchers.