Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Biology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Esther Malm, Ph.D.
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Learning and Satisfaction
Motivation, especially in the world of psychology, is quite the broad and overarching term that relates to various aspects of life. Whether it be motivation in the workplace, classroom, sports, or relationships, our intrinsic and extrinsic motivations drive us to do our best on what we set forth to accomplish. Although there is extensive research on methods of learning in correlation to motivation as well as levels of satisfaction impacting these levels, there has yet to be much exploration into the impact an emotional component or personal connection may have on these factors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact on levels of motivation, satisfaction, and engagement of a task with the introduction of an emotional connection to the researcher. With the use of a choice/no choice and emotional/no emotional component model, we can compare each of the four randomized sample groups to see how a simple personal connection can have an effect on the participant. Participants are asked to complete a brief drawing task from memory; instead of their true accuracy being recorded, their levels of motivation to do their best on the task and satisfaction with the study are actually the pieces of data being pursued. We hypothesized that the choice + emotional connection would report the highest levels of satisfaction, motivation, and engagement on the task when compared to the other three groups. We also hypothesized that the emotional connection would have enough impact to bring higher recorded results in the dependent variables in the no choice + emotional group over the choice + no emotion group. With a minimum sample size proposed from the study of 120, responses are limited to Murray State students of any class above the age of 18. While this study is a work-in-progress, the findings and specifics of this study will be presented at Murray State Scholar’s Week.
Keywords: Motivation, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, Satisfaction, Engagement, Emotion
Fall Scholars Week 2025
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Included in
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Psychological Phenomena and Processes Commons, School Psychology Commons
Learning and Satisfaction
Learning and Satisfaction
Motivation, especially in the world of psychology, is quite the broad and overarching term that relates to various aspects of life. Whether it be motivation in the workplace, classroom, sports, or relationships, our intrinsic and extrinsic motivations drive us to do our best on what we set forth to accomplish. Although there is extensive research on methods of learning in correlation to motivation as well as levels of satisfaction impacting these levels, there has yet to be much exploration into the impact an emotional component or personal connection may have on these factors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact on levels of motivation, satisfaction, and engagement of a task with the introduction of an emotional connection to the researcher. With the use of a choice/no choice and emotional/no emotional component model, we can compare each of the four randomized sample groups to see how a simple personal connection can have an effect on the participant. Participants are asked to complete a brief drawing task from memory; instead of their true accuracy being recorded, their levels of motivation to do their best on the task and satisfaction with the study are actually the pieces of data being pursued. We hypothesized that the choice + emotional connection would report the highest levels of satisfaction, motivation, and engagement on the task when compared to the other three groups. We also hypothesized that the emotional connection would have enough impact to bring higher recorded results in the dependent variables in the no choice + emotional group over the choice + no emotion group. With a minimum sample size proposed from the study of 120, responses are limited to Murray State students of any class above the age of 18. While this study is a work-in-progress, the findings and specifics of this study will be presented at Murray State Scholar’s Week.
Keywords: Motivation, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, Satisfaction, Engagement, Emotion