Editing Motivation (section)

== Amotivation and akrasia ==
[[File:Hieronymus Wierix - Acedia - WGA25736.jpg|thumb|alt=Engraving "Acedia" by Hieronymus Wierix (1553–1619)|Amotivation is an absence of interest and is sometimes described as [[acedia]] when it manifests in relation to spiritual practices.]]{{See also|Depression (mood)|Rat race|Boredom|Laziness}}

Motivation contrasts with amotivation (also known as [[avolition]]) which is an absence of interest. Individuals in the state of amotivation feel apathy or lack the willingness to engage in a particular behavior.<ref>{{multiref |1={{harvnb|Banerjee|Halder|2021|pp=1–2}} |2={{harvnb|Brehm|2014|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1lYOAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA131 131–132]}} }}</ref> For instance, amotivated children at school remain passive in class, do not engage in classroom activities, and fail to follow teacher instructions.<ref>{{harvnb|Banerjee|Halder|2021|pp=1–2}}</ref> Amotivation can be a significant barrier to [[productivity]], goal attainment, and overall well-being.<ref>{{multiref |1={{harvnb|Urdan|Pajares|2008|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=q_wnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA67 67–68]}} |2={{harvnb|Banerjee|Halder|2021|pp=1–2}} }}</ref> It can be caused by factors like unrealistic expectations, helplessness, feelings of incompetence, and the inability to see how one's actions affect outcomes.<ref>{{multiref |1={{harvnb|Papaioannou|Hackfort|2014|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=_zYsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA70 70]}} |2={{harvnb|Lamb|Csizér|Henry|Ryan|2020|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=OHDJDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA368 368]}} }}</ref> In the field of [[Christian spirituality]], the terms [[acedia]] and accidie are often used to describe a form of amotivation or listlessness associated with a failure to engage in spiritual practices.<ref>{{multiref |1={{harvnb|Peteet|Moffic|Hankir|Koenig|2021|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2wBBEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 56]}} |2={{harvnb|Jenkins|2021|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=L2kQEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT73 73]}} }}</ref> Amotivation is usually a temporary state. The term ''[[amotivational syndrome]]'' refers to a more permanent and wide-reaching condition. It involves apathy and lack of activity in relation to a broad range of activities and is associated with incoherence, inability to concentrate, and memory disturbance.<ref>{{multiref |1={{harvnb|Townsend|Morgan|2017|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=3a0-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA424 424–425]}} |2={{harvnb|Ozaki|Wada|2001|pp=42–43}} }}</ref> The term ''[[disorders of diminished motivation]]'' covers a wide range of related phenomena, including [[abulia]], [[akinetic mutism]], and other motivation-related [[neurological disorders]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Marin|Wilkosz|2005|pp=377–378}} | {{harvnb|Palmisano|Fasotti|Bertens|2020|p=1}} }}</ref>

Amotivation is closely related to [[akrasia]]. A person in the state of akrasia believes that they should perform a certain action but cannot motivate themselves to do it. This means that there is an internal conflict between what a person believes they should do and what they actually do. The cause of akrasia is sometimes that a person gives in to temptations and is not able to resist them. For this reason, akrasia is also referred to as weakness of the will.<ref>{{multiref |1={{harvnb|Stroud|Svirsky|2021|loc=[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/weakness-will/ lead section]}} |2={{harvnb|Southwood|2016|pp=3413–3414}} |3={{harvnb|Grill|Hanna|2018|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=wFFHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT50 50]}} }}</ref> An addict who compulsively consumes drugs even though they know that it is not in their best self-interest is an example of akrasia.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinhababu|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=GTJdDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT155 155]}}</ref> Akrasia contrasts with enkrasia, which is a state where a person's motivation aligns with their beliefs.<ref>{{harvnb|Southwood|2016|pp=3413–3414}}</ref>