Emotions and Motivation
PSYC FPX 3770 Assessment 4 Motivation, being the initiating cause of action, can be either positively or negatively influenced by various factors. Positive or aversive experiences have an influence on motivation that leads to either the attainment of desirable consequences or the avoidance of unpleasant stimuli. For instance, drugs and sex release neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which triggers a sensation of pleasure and euphoria. These outcomes condition an individual to consistently pursue stimulus exposure associated with pleasurable sensations. Also, expected outcomes, even unmet ones, have significant impacts on motivation. Emotions, since they are so intertwined with motivation, leave it challenging to pinpoint the specific impact a particular emotion has on motivation (Deckers, 2018).
Emotions arise out of perceived or felt consequences and generally exist simultaneously or contradict each other. Positive feelings, like feelings of comfort and security, are likely to enhance motivation to perform challenging tasks in pursuit of reward or recreation. However, the effect of negative affect on motivation is multifaceted. While threat stimuli can enhance motivation by alerting individuals to danger, worry and panic will likely undermine motivation and lower the quality of life. Recurring bouts of fear and worry have been linked to adverse health outcomes and reduced positive social interaction (Deckers, 2018).
Depression and Motivation
Depression, characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest in life activities, happens differently in each individual but always affects motivation (Hysenbegasi, Hass & Rowland, 2005). Depression, characterized by sadness that is a common accompanying emotion, may be a sign of the necessity for help but most likely leads to diminished motivation and engagement in life. Depressed individuals may have a hard time doing simple things such as personal hygiene, cleaning the house, and taking care of finances. Depression impacts performance severely in schools due to its effects on cognitive function and task scheduling (Deckers, 2018).
Experiments have demonstrated that depression has been known to distort individuals’ perceptions of themselves and their experiences, and this can generate biases such as the “self-positivity bias” (Takano et al., 2016). The bias involves externalizing positive events and internalizing negative events. Research has established that depressed individuals have lower preference for positive self-relevant information, which shows the cognitive distortions of the condition (Takano et al., 2016).
Current Research Findings
PSYC FPX 3770 Assessment 4 A 2016 study explored the self-positivity bias in depressed patients and reported a lower preference for positive self-relevant information in depressed patients (Takano et al., 2016). A 2005 study explored the impact of depression on academic productivity and reported a negative correlation between depression and GPA among university students (Hysenbegasi, Hass & Rowland, 2005). Depressive symptoms were addressed through the relief of academic decline, emphasizing the need for interventions that target mental health towards academic success (Hysenbegasi, Hass & Rowland, 2005).
Conclusion
Depression is a significant problem, particularly in educational settings, where motivation and initiative are essential to achievement. It is essential to comprehend the interplay between depression, motivation, and academic success to create effective intervention strategies. Providing mental health services and counseling on campuses can minimize the impact of depression on student success (Deckers, 2018; Hysenbegasi, Hass & Rowland, 2005; Takano et al., 2016).
References
Deckers, L. (2018). Motivation: Biological, psychological, and environmental. ProQuest Ebook Central.
Hysenbegasi, A., Hass, S. L., & Rowland, C. R. (2005). The impact of depression on the academic productivity of university students. Journal of mental health policy and economics, 8(3), 145.
PSYC FPX 3770 Assessment 4 Depression and Goal-Directed Motivation
Takano, K., Iijima, Y., Sakamoto, S., Raes, F., & Tanno, Y. (2016). Is self-positive information more appealing than money? Individual differences in positivity bias according to depressive symptoms. Cognition and Emotion, 30(8), 1402-1414.
