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Neuron Jul 2018We reveal a central role for chance neuronal events in the decision of a male fly to court, which can be modeled as a coin flip with odds set by motivational state. The...
We reveal a central role for chance neuronal events in the decision of a male fly to court, which can be modeled as a coin flip with odds set by motivational state. The decision is prompted by a tap of a female with the male's pheromone-receptor-containing foreleg. Each tap evokes competing excitation and inhibition onto P1 courtship command neurons. A motivating dopamine signal desensitizes P1 to the inhibition, increasing the fraction of taps that successfully initiate courtship. Once courtship has begun, the same dopamine tone potentiates recurrent excitation of P1, maintaining the courtship of highly motivated males for minutes and buffering against termination. Receptor diversity within P1 creates separate channels for tuning the propensities to initiate and sustain courtship toward appropriate targets. These findings establish a powerful invertebrate system for cue-triggered binary decisions and demonstrate that noise can be exploited by motivational systems to make behaviors scalable and flexible.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Decision Making; Drosophila melanogaster; Female; Male; Motivation; Perception; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 29983326
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.06.014 -
As long as it circulates, we've got to keep fighting: COVID-19 and the motivation to get vaccinated.Social Science & Medicine (1982) Dec 2022The first purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between goal-directed motivation and vaccination behavior. The second purpose was to find ways to...
OBJECTIVE
The first purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between goal-directed motivation and vaccination behavior. The second purpose was to find ways to motivate people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and infectious diseases in general.
RATIONALE
According to regulatory focus theory, goal-directed behavior is regulated by two motivational systems - prevention and promotion. Prevention-focused behavior is motivated by needs for security and safety, and it is associated with a strategic preference for vigilant means of goal-pursuit. Promotion-focused behavior is motivated by needs for self-development and growth, and it is associated with a strategic preference for eagerness means. Based on regulatory focus theory, this research examined the proposal that motivation in goal-pursuit and self-regulatory processes would play a central role in shaping vaccination intention and behavior.
METHOD
Two studies tested the relationship between participants' self-reported intention to get vaccinated and regulatory focus. In Study 1, regulatory focus was measured as a chronic variable. In Study 2, regulatory focus was experimentally induced.
RESULTS
Study 1 showed that chronic prevention focus moderated the relationship between vaccine safety concerns and vaccination intention. The higher the concerns about vaccine safety, the lower was the probability of expressing an intention to get vaccinated, and the stronger the prevention focus the stronger was the effect. Moreover, vaccine safety concerns mediated the relationship between chronic promotion focus and vaccination intention. The stronger the promotion focus, the lower was the concern over vaccine safety, and thus the higher was the probability of expressing an intention to get vaccinated. In Study 2, a situationally induced regulatory focus moderated the relationship between vaccination intention and vaccine safety concerns. As concerns about vaccine safety decreased, the intention to get vaccinated increased, and the effect was stronger for prevention compared with promotion focus. Implications for public health and health communication are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Motivation; COVID-19; Intention; Self Report; Vaccines
PubMed: 36399986
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115475 -
Substance Use & Misuse 2022Given the growing number of fatalities associated with the use of multiple types of drugs, there is an urgent need for a tool that allows clinicians and researchers to...
Given the growing number of fatalities associated with the use of multiple types of drugs, there is an urgent need for a tool that allows clinicians and researchers to quickly assess diverse reasons for substance use. Here, we sought to validate the (), a new measure that assesses motivations for use across different types of substances. Participants were 538 adults ages 18-60 (48% women) who reported substance use problems and past-year drug or alcohol use. Analyses were conducted to discover and validate the factor structure of the and evaluate its construct validity. A 30-item model best fit the , with one capturing overall motivation to engage in substance use and eight motive-specific factors that indexed unique motivations for substance use: (relief from unpleasant emotions), (feel pleasurable or exciting emotions and sensations), (avoid withdrawal and cravings), (enhance self-insight and spirituality), (increase confidence and attractiveness) (gain a physical or mental advantage) (relief from unpleasant bodily sensations), and (mitigate sleep problems). Evaluation of the measure's construct validity and internal consistency support the chosen model and interpretation of the motive-specific factors. Results provide initial validation of the as a reliable and valid tool for assessing diverse substance use motivations. It improves upon existing measures by allowing clinicians and researchers to simultaneously evaluate motivations for multiple forms of substance use, which facilitates personalized treatment planning and research on polysubstance use.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Male; Motivation; Substance-Related Disorders; Adaptation, Psychological; Alcohol Drinking; Emotions
PubMed: 36129001
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2125269 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Jun 2011This paper challenges the common assumption that the mechanisms underlying short-term placebo paradigms (where there is no motivation for health improvement) and... (Review)
Review
This paper challenges the common assumption that the mechanisms underlying short-term placebo paradigms (where there is no motivation for health improvement) and long-term placebo paradigms (where patients value improvement in their health) are the same. Three types of motivational theory are reviewed: (i) classical placebo motivation theory that the placebo response results from the desire for therapeutic improvement; (ii) goal activation model that expectancy-driven placebo responses are enhanced when the placebo response satisfies an activated goal; and (iii) motivational concordance model that the placebo response is the consequence of concordance between the placebo ritual and significant intrinsic motives. It is suggested that current data are consistent with the following theory: response expectancy, conditioning and goal activation are responsible for short-term placebo effects but long-term therapeutic change is achieved through the effects of goal satisfaction and affect on the inflammatory response system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Empirical predictions of this new theory are outlined, including ways in which placebo effects can be combined with other psychologically mediated effects on short-term and long-term psychological and physiological state.
Topics: Goals; Humans; Models, Psychological; Motivation; Placebo Effect
PubMed: 21576140
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2010.0391 -
Soins; La Revue de Reference Infirmiere Apr 2024Prehabilitation, which is still in its infancy, is becoming an essential part of oncology treatment. Motivation assessment is crucial for adherence to these programs,...
Prehabilitation, which is still in its infancy, is becoming an essential part of oncology treatment. Motivation assessment is crucial for adherence to these programs, which aim to optimize functional capacity before and during the intensive phases of treatment. To date, healthcare teams have had little experience of assessing motivation, which is a weakness in the care strategy. This is partly due to a lack of standardized models and a delay in caregivers changing their position in response to changes in patient' motivations. In this article, we invite to discuss the 'why' and 'how' of motivational assessment in patients undergoing prehabilitation.
Topics: Humans; Preoperative Exercise; Motivation; Medical Oncology; Patient Care Team
PubMed: 38614519
DOI: 10.1016/j.soin.2024.02.010 -
PloS One 2022Motivators and barriers are pivotal factors in the adoption of health behaviors. This study aims to identify patterns of the motivators and barriers influencing heart...
OBJECTIVES
Motivators and barriers are pivotal factors in the adoption of health behaviors. This study aims to identify patterns of the motivators and barriers influencing heart health behaviors among multi-ethnic Asian adults with behavior-modifiable risk factors for heart disease, namely obesity, physical inactivity and smoking.
METHODS
A population-based survey of 1,000 participants was conducted in Singapore. Participants were assessed for behavior-modifiable risk factors and asked about motivators and barriers to heart health behaviors. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to identify factors underlying motivator and barrier question items. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the associations of motivator and barrier factors with sociodemographic characteristics.
RESULTS
The twenty-five motivator and barrier items were classified into three (outcome expectations, external cues and significant others including family and friends) and four (external circumstances, limited self-efficacy and competence, lack of perceived susceptibility, benefits and intentions and perceived lack of physical capability) factors respectively. Among participants with behavior-modifiable risk factors, those with lower education were more likely to be low in motivation factor of "outcome expectations" and "external cues". The well-educated were more likely to be high in the barrier factor of "lack of perceived susceptibility, benefits and intention" and were less likely to have the motivation factor of "significant others (family or friends)". Those aged 60-75 years had low motivations and high barriers compared to their younger counterparts. Older age was more likely to be low in motivation factor of "outcome expectations" and "external cues" and high in barrier factor of "limited self-efficacy and competence" and "perceived lack of physical capability".
CONCLUSIONS
Findings underscore the importance of a targeted intervention and communication strategy addressing specific motivation and barrier factors in different population segments with modifiable risk factors.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Exercise; Female; Health Behavior; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motivation; Obesity; Self Efficacy; Singapore; Smoking; Young Adult
PubMed: 35051229
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262752 -
Biology Letters Nov 2021This commentary concerns a controversial animal model in rodent social release research wherein one rat releases another rat from entrapment in a plastic tube. Release...
This commentary concerns a controversial animal model in rodent social release research wherein one rat releases another rat from entrapment in a plastic tube. Release from the plastic tube has been proposed as a model to study empathically motivated behaviour. However, empathic motivations have been contested by others who have provided evidence for social reinforcement motivating release behaviour. Furthermore, helping, or other forms of pro-social behaviour could exist independent of empathy or empathetic motivation and the stimuli occasioning this helping behaviour are not known. In addition, there is a dearth in the citations of published studies whose results fail to support this model. In other words, the controversial aspect of the rodent social release model is often overlooked. This controversy is described in the current opinion piece.
Topics: Animals; Empathy; Helping Behavior; Models, Animal; Motivation; Rats; Social Behavior
PubMed: 34784801
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0355 -
The International Journal of Behavioral... Sep 2022Understanding the motivational effects of supervised aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may help men with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of supervised high-intensity interval training on motivational outcomes in men with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance: results from a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Understanding the motivational effects of supervised aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may help men with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance initiate and maintain exercise behavior, however, few studies have addressed this question. This report explored exercise motivation in men with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance participating in a randomized exercise trial.
METHODS
The Exercise during Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer (ERASE) trial randomized 52 men with prostate cancer on active surveillance to the HIIT exercise group or the usual care (UC) group. The exercise program was supervised aerobic HIIT conducted three times per week for 12 weeks. The motivation questions were developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior and included motivational constructs, anticipated and experienced outcomes, and barriers to HIIT during active surveillance.
RESULTS
The HIIT group attended 96% of the planned exercise sessions with 100% compliance to the exercise protocol. Motivation outcome data were obtained in 25/26 (96%) participants in the HIIT group and 25/26 (96%) participants in the UC group. At baseline, study participants were generally motivated to perform HIIT. After the intervention, the HIIT group reported that HIIT was even more enjoyable (p < 0.001; d = 1.38), more motivating (p = 0.001; d = 0.89), more controllable (p < 0.001; d = 0.85), and instilled more confidence (p = 0.004; d = 0.66) than they had anticipated. Moreover, compared to UC, HIIT participants reported significantly higher perceived control (p = 0.006; d = 0.68) and a more specific plan (p = 0.032; d = 0.67) for performing HIIT over the next 6 months. No significant differences were found in anticipated versus experienced outcomes. Exercise barriers were minimal, however, the most often reported barriers included pain or soreness (56%), traveling to the fitness center (40%), and being too busy and having limited time (36%).
CONCLUSION
Men with prostate cancer on active surveillance were largely motivated and expected significant benefits from a supervised HIIT program. Moreover, the men assigned to the HIIT program experienced few barriers and achieved high adherence, which further improved their motivation. Future research is needed to understand long-term exercise motivation and behavior change in this setting.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03203460 . Registered on June 29, 2017.
Topics: Exercise; High-Intensity Interval Training; Humans; Male; Motivation; Prostatic Neoplasms; Watchful Waiting
PubMed: 36175907
DOI: 10.1186/s12966-022-01365-2 -
BMC Health Services Research Dec 2008A key constraint to achieving the MDGs is the absence of a properly trained and motivated workforce. Loss of clinical staff from low and middle-income countries is...
BACKGROUND
A key constraint to achieving the MDGs is the absence of a properly trained and motivated workforce. Loss of clinical staff from low and middle-income countries is crippling already fragile health care systems. Health worker retention is critical for health system performance and a key problem is how best to motivate and retain health workers. The authors undertook a systematic review to consolidate existing evidence on the impact of financial and non-financial incentives on motivation and retention.
METHODS
Four literature databases were searched together with Google Scholar and 'Human Resources for Health' on-line journal. Grey literature studies and informational papers were also captured. The inclusion criteria were: 1) article stated clear reasons for implementing specific motivations to improve health worker motivation and/or reduce medical migration, 2) the intervention recommended can be linked to motivation and 3) the study was conducted in a developing country and 4) the study used primary data.
RESULTS
Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. They consisted of a mixture of qualitative and quantitative studies. Seven major motivational themes were identified: financial rewards, career development, continuing education, hospital infrastructure, resource availability, hospital management and recognition/appreciation. There was some evidence to suggest that the use of initiatives to improve motivation had been effective in helping retention. There is less clear evidence on the differential response of different cadres.
CONCLUSION
While motivational factors are undoubtedly country specific, financial incentives, career development and management issues are core factors. Nevertheless, financial incentives alone are not enough to motivate health workers. It is clear that recognition is highly influential in health worker motivation and that adequate resources and appropriate infrastructure can improve morale significantly.
Topics: Community Health Services; Developing Countries; Emigration and Immigration; Employee Incentive Plans; Global Health; Health Workforce; Humans; Job Satisfaction; Motivation; Personnel Loyalty
PubMed: 19055827
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-8-247 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... May 2022Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This...
Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Intention; Motivation; Pandemics; Physical Distancing
PubMed: 35622891
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111091119