University of Vermont Department of Psychology PSYC206 Motivation - CRN: 10660 Spring 2006 Tuesday & Thursday 5:00-6:15 p.m. LAFAYETTE 403 Instructor: Judith A. Christensen, Ph.D. Office: Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center 26 Woodside Drive East Colchester, VT 05446 Contacts: (Work) 655-4990 (Home) 985-2034 (FAX) 655-3095 (E-mail) [email protected] (best choice) [email protected]: After class or by appointment Teaching Assistants: Aya Inoue [email protected] Lee Sleininger [email protected] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * READINGS: TEXTBOOK: UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION AND EMOTION (4th Edition) by Johnmarshall Reeve Wiley (Copyright 2005) STUDENT COMPANION WEBSITE FOR TEXT: http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=0471450073&itemTypeId=BKS&bcsId=2035 STUDENT SELECTIONS: * One (1) research article related to Motivation of your own choosing to use as a basis for one (1) written critique. * Five (5) or more research articles or books on a topic related to Motivation of your own choosing to use as a basis for one (1) Project Paper and Poster. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS WHAT IS MOTIVATION? What are it’s sources or origins? We’re all familiar with the concept. We use the term in our everyday language though we may not recognize at this point how many different meanings it carries. Each of us may even have some thoughts about its origins. For example, how often have you found yourself saying, “I’m just not motivated to study tonight.” Petri and Govern (2004) argue that “it is not so much that we are unmotivated (although it sometimes feels that way) as it is that we do not want to behave in a particular way.” Thus, we are always motivated in some way that may or may not match with external, or for that matter internal, expectations! Think about it! According to Reeve (2005), “Motivation study concerns all conditions that exist within the person and within the environment and culture thatexplains ‘why we want what we want’ and ‘why we do what we do.’” Reeve examines the complex array of motivational sources that are both internal and external to an individual through a review of the most recent research on this topic. This, along with your own process of “self-discovery,” may help you understand what motivates some of your behaviors and not others (although this is not a self-help course). Taken together, the text, class presentations and discussions, and the research that you choose to incorporate into this course should provide you with an excellent foundation on the subject of motivation as well as an appreciation for its complexity. The course requires a fairly sophisticated background in psychology. Foundational theories and current research and methodologies of this significant area of psychology will be reviewed and discussed. Participants in this course are expected to (1) complete all readings, written and presentation requirements within the time allotted, (2) be an active member in all class discussions, (3) present research as required in a professional manner, and (4) provide support and encouragement to other class members when they are making class presentations. Participants will also have an opportunity to engage in self-directed learning by selecting topics of interest for exploration and enlightenment. Because many students who take this course expect to attend graduate school at some future time, course objectives emphasize the student’s ability to (1) locate and evaluate high quality relevant research from appropriate psychology journals and books, (2) synthesize and critique readings (text and research articles/books) in both verbal and written formats using APA format and style, (3) present material in a classroom setting with appropriate aids (e.g., handouts, PowerPoint, overheads) in different contexts (i.e., formal class presentation, student-led discussions, poster presentation), and (4) participate actively in all class discussions. Finally, this course is designed to permit “self-discovery” through personal reflection on the readings, discussion of points of interest to students, and self-selection of material for intensive personal study. My goals for this course are for you: 1. To develop an appreciation of the basic information in motivation psychology, including both research and theory, as well as an understanding of the complexity of motivational processes; 2. To gain an understanding of research methods in motivation psychology, together with the ability to evaluate critically the research in this area both in written and class presentation formats; 3. To master writing a review of the literature on a topic of your choice, related to motivation psychology; this paper must demonstrate an understanding of the research, an ability to synthesize information, and a mastery of APA writing style; and 4. An ability to apply your knowledge to your own motivational processes (for example, when you solve problems, make decisions or force yourself to do something you don’t really want to do) through weekly logs and class discussions and to professional areas such as education, business, law, clinical psychology, and social relationships. COURSE REQUIREMENTS As a general rule, I will not accept written assignments more than one week late unless you and I have worked it out by the original due date. Anything late without prenotification will have a late penalty. 1. READING LOGS: A total of 13 logs or reflections on the assigned reading (25%): Each Tuesday (except the first week when your log is due on Thursday), you will submit a written reading log which will cover the reading assignment for that week. These are your “reflections” on the assigned readings from the text. The logs replace the more traditional major exams or quizzes by asking you to regularly engage with the material in ways that hopefully are more meaningful than cramming or rote memorizing. This also requires you to stay up-to-date with the basic course material. I will notaccept the logs electronically without prior approval. ****The log and Web Activity are due on Tuesday.**** 2. CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE (25%): Your participation in class discussions is an