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Cited by 119Motivation and Self-Concept in SportsEducation, Achievement, and GiftednessPsychological and Educational Research Studies

Intrinsic Motivation and Positive Development

Larson, Reed W., Rusk, Natalie·2011·Advances in Child Development and Behavior
DOI 10.1016/b978-0-12-386492-5.00005-1
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Abstract

Decades of scientific research shows that intrinsic motivation (IM) is a powerful "engine" of learning and positive development. This chapter synthesizes the research, first showing how the psychological state of IM is associated not only with enhanced engagement and perseverance in an activity, but also with greater use of meta-cognitive strategies and deeper processing of information. These features likely account for evidence that IM is related to greater and more effective learning. Second, we examine the determinants of this beneficial state. Evidence suggests that it results from the convergence of factors at multiple levels--from immediate conditions in the activity to longer-term personal goals, cultural values, and human dispositions. Drawing on these findings, we show that there is considerable potential for young people to develop their abilities to experience and regulate their IM within activities. In the third and final section, we then discuss how youth professionals can work with youth to help them cultivate the capacity for intrinsically motivated learning. We present ten guiding principles for cultivating IM derived from the research. We give particular attention to adolescence, because it is a period when youth become more able to engage in this deliberate cultivation--to be producers of their own development.

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Crossref · 10.1016/b978-0-12-386492-5.00005-1

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Authors
Larson, R. W., & Rusk, N.
Affiliations
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
  • Tufts University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Advances in Child Development and Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier
Published
2011
Volume
41
Pages
89-130
ISSN
0065-2407 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/b978-0-12-386492-5.00005-1
OpenAlex
W41238051
Cited by
119
References
23
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
FWCI
22.47
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Advances in child development and behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Psychological and Educational Research Studies
Keywords
intrinsic motivation, positive development, learning, engagement, perseverance, metacognitive strategies, deep processing, motivational regulation, personal goals, cultural values, youth development, adolescence, youth workers, guiding principles
MeSH terms
Achievement, Adolescent, Psychology, Adolescent, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Peer Group, Personality Development, Problem Solving, Reinforcement, Psychology, Social Environment, Social Support, Socialization, Self Efficacy, Young Adult

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