Motivation and Culture

Motivation is the natural human capacity to direct energy in pursuit of a goal. Human beings are purposeful. People are constantly learning, and when they do, they use their energy through attention, concentration, action, and imagination to make sense of the world. Most learning in schools, work, and social life is active and volitional, constructing meaning from experiences and the information available, such as when solving a problem or engaging in a conversation. There is substantial evidence that motivation is consistently and positively related to educational achievement. Motivation is important because throughout life, the motivated person will surpass the less motivated person in performance and outcomes, even though both have similar capability and the same opportunities.

Who one is culturally and how one interacts with the ...