Driven to Succeed: Understanding Human Motivation

Harvard University — PSY 1590 Spring 2020

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED:

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN MOTIVATION

This is an advanced seminar course Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash
designed for students who want to
learn about motivation science, Mondays 9:45-11:45am
particularly as it applies to academic Location: William James Hall B6
motivation. In this course, students Instructor: Emily J. Hangen, PhD
will develop and refine their Course website:
psychological research skills.
https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/
67797
Prerequisites: Science of Living
Systems 20 or Psychology 1 1
equivalent and at least one
foundational course.









Harvard University — PSY 1590 Spring 2020

Individual intervention paper (15%)

Why? To translate scientific findings into real-world application.


How? Using concepts discussed in class, design a plan to motivate yourself in a specific area of
your life and implement this plan for a minimum duration of one week. In a concise 2-3 page
paper describe your motivational plan, the research that informed your motivational plan (using
correct APA formatted citations), discuss reasons why the plan was effective or not effective, and
reflect on the plan as a whole and what you would do differently in the future. Due online by
11:59pm on March 9th.


Final Project (30%)

Please choose one: 1) Research Proposal Paper, 2) Interview Podcast, or 3) Motivation
Plan Podcast.

Research Proposal Paper

Why? To practice scholarly skills such as conducting a literature review, formulating a novel
hypothesis, explaining the value your research question, designing a high-quality study,

How? You will choose a specific topic in the study of motivation that is of particular interest to
you and propose a study that examines a novel research question. Your poster will include a
background, hypothesis, methods section, expected results, and discussion section.


Deadlines for Research Proposal Paper
• Topic proposal & list of 8-10 references — Due 9am, Friday April 3 (10% of project grade)
• Study design — Due midnight Monday April 13 (10% of project grade)
• Full paper draft — Due before class Monday April 27 (40% of project grade)
• Final paper — 9am, Friday May 8 (40% of project grade)

Interview Podcast

Why? To demonstrate understanding of motivation theories, communicate these theories to
others, and develop podcasting skills.

How? You will interview at least one person and analyze their motivation using theories and
concepts learned in class. Podcast requirements include 4-6 minutes of length, an introduction
(introduce yourself and podcast topic), include background music in a portion of the podcast
(beginning, ending, transitions, etc.), and a conclusion portion.

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Harvard University — PSY 1590 Spring 2020

Class Due Date Readings for class

(continued)
Optional: Ludwig, R. M., Srivastava, S., & Berkman, E. T. (2019).
Predicting exercise with a personality facet: Planfulness and goal

achievement. Psychological Science, 30(10), 1510-1521. (HOLLIS link)

Friday 02/28 Reading insight for Class 5 (Emotions, Stress, & Stereotypes)
9am

5 Monday 03/02 Emotions, Stress, and Stereotypes

1. Pekrun, R. (2006). The control-value theory of achievement
emotions: Assumptions, corollaries, and implications for educational
research and practice. Educational psychology review, 18(4),

315-341. (HOLLIS link)

2. Jamieson, J. P., Mendes, W. B., Blackstock, E., & Schmader, T.
(2010). Turning the knots in your stomach into bows: Reappraising
arousal improves performance on the GRE. Journal of Experimental

Social Psychology, 46(1), 208-212. (HOLLIS link)

3. Steele, C. M., & Aronson, J. (1995). Stereotype threat and the
intellectual test performance of African Americans. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, 69(5), 797-811. (HOLLIS link)


4. Ramirez, G., & Beilock, S. L. (2011). Writing about testing worries
boosts exam performance in the classroom. Science, 331(6014),
211-213. (HOLLIS link)

Optional: Cohen, G. L., Garcia, J., Apfel, N., & Master, A. (2006).
Reducing the racial achievement gap: A social-psychological

intervention. Science, 313(5791), 1307-1310. (HOLLIS link)

Friday 03/06 Reading insight for Class 6 (Intrinsic Motivation and Belonging)
9am

6 Monday 03/09 Intrinsic Motivation and Belonging

1. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations:
Classic definitions and new directions. Contemporary Educational
Psychology, 25(1), 54-67. (HOLLIS link)


2. Rigby, C. S., & Ryan, R. M. (2018). Self-determination theory in
human resource development: New directions and practical
considerations. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 20(2),

133-147. (HOLLIS link)

Week 6 continued on next page

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