University of Vermont Department of Psychology PSYC206 Motivation Fall 2005 Mon & Wed 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] Hours: After class or by appointment Teaching Assistants: Adriana Blacker [email protected] Benjamin Tudor [email protected] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * READINGS: TEXTBOOK: Author: Johnmarshall Reeve Title: UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION AND EMOTION (4th Edition) Publisher: Wiley (Copyright 2005) STUDENT SELECTIONS: * One (1) research article or book 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) written report and a Poster Project. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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 that explains ‘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 processof “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. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES This course will provide an introduction to motivation psychology. Foundational theories and current research and methodologies of this historically significant area of psychology will be reviewed and discussed. Participants in this course are expected to (1) complete all readings, written and presentation requirements in a timely fashion, (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, (2) synthesize and critique readings (text and research articles/books) in both verbal and written formats, (3) present material in a classroom setting with appropriate aids (e.g., handouts, 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. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING: 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 14 logs or reflections on the assigned reading (25%): Each Monday, 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. The Reading Log Rubric will be evaluated as follows: 4 - EXCELLENT * Clear and legible writing, comprehensive comments * Excellent discussion question and presentation points 3 - VERY GOOD * Clear and legible writing, substantial comments * Very Good discussion question/presentation points 2 - SATISFACTORY * Clear and legible writing, satisfactory comments and discussion question/presentation points, but could go further 1 - NEEDS WORK! * Unclear and/or illegible writing, insufficient comments * Discussion question/presentation points are insufficient2. CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE (25%): Your participation in class discussions is an essential expectation in this course. Monday discussions will be based on student presentations of research and discussion questions. Wednesday discussions will be based on what you have read in the text and the reflections from your logs. If you must miss a class, try to let me know ahead of time and I’ll take that into account in regard to participation and penalties. PLEASE don't cut class just because something isn’t done yet! I’m willing to negotiate around special circumstances, and arrange a makeup schedule, as long as it doesn’t become a pattern of performance. A. MONDAY ATTENDANCE/CLASS DISCUSSION OF STUDENT PRESENTATION MATERIAL: All of you will be presenting material throughout the course of your own choosing. When you are the presenter, you