Editing Content theory (section)

==Cognitive theories==
[[Cognitive]] theories define motivation in terms of how people think about situations. Cognitive theories of motivation include goal-setting theory and expectancy theory.

===Goal-setting theory===
{{Main|Goal-setting theory}}
Goal-setting theory is based on the idea that individuals have a drive to reach a clearly defined end state. Often, this end state is a [[reward system|reward]] in itself. A goal's efficiency is affected by three features: proximity, difficulty, and specificity. One common goal setting methodology incorporates the [[SMART criteria]], in which goals are: specific, measurable, attainable/achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Time management is an important aspect, when regarding time as a contributing factor to goal achievement. Having too much time allows for distraction and procrastination, which also serves as a distraction to the subject by steering their attention away from the original goal. An ideal goal should present a situation where the time between the beginning of the effort and the end state is close.<ref name=":3">{{cite book |title = Learning Strategies and Learning Styles |last = Entwistle |first = Noel |date = 1988 |publisher = Springer, Boston, MA |isbn = 978-1-4899-2120-8 |series = Perspectives on Individual Differences |pages = 21–51 |language = en |doi = 10.1007/978-1-4899-2118-5_2 |chapter = Motivational Factors in Students' Approaches to Learning }}</ref> With an overly restricting time restraint, the subject could potentially feel overwhelmed, which could deter the subject from achieving the goal because the amount of time provided is not sufficient or rational.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last1 = Fried |first1 = Yitzhak |last2 = Slowik |first2 = Linda Haynes |date = 2004 |title = Enriching Goal-Setting Theory with Time: An Integrated Approach |journal = The Academy of Management Review |volume = 29 |issue = 3 |pages = 404–422 |doi = 10.2307/20159051 |jstor = 20159051 }}</ref> This explains why some children are more motivated to learn how to ride a bike than to master [[algebra]]. A goal should be moderate, not too hard, or too easy to complete.<ref name=":2" />

Most people are not optimally motivated, as many want a challenge (which assumes some kind of insecurity of success). At the same time, people want to feel that there is a substantial [[probability]] that they will succeed. The goal should be objectively defined and understandable for the individual.<ref name=":3" /> Similarly to [[Maslow's hierarchy of needs|Maslow]]'s Hierarchy of Needs, a larger end goal is easier to achieve if the subject has smaller, more attainable yet still challenging goals to achieve first in order to advance over a period of time.<ref name=":2" /> A classic example of a poorly specified goal is trying to motivate oneself to run a [[marathon]] when s/he has not had proper training. A smaller, more attainable goal is to first motivate oneself to take the stairs instead of an elevator or to replace a stagnant activity, like watching television, with a mobile one, like spending time walking and eventually working up to a jog.<ref group="note">All goals are subject to the individual's skills and abilities.</ref>

===Expectancy theory===
{{Main|Expectancy theory}}
Expectancy theory was proposed by Victor H. Vroom in 1964. Expectancy theory explains the behavior process in which an individual selects a behavior option over another, and why/how this decision is made in relation to their goal.

There's also an equation for this theory which goes as follows:
::<math>{\text{M}}= {\text{E}} \times {\text{I}} \times {\text{V}}</math> or
::<math>{\text{Motivation}}= {\text{Expectancy}} \times {\text{Instrumentality}} \times {\text{Valence}}</math><ref name="analytictech.com">{{cite web |title = Theories of Motivation |url = http://www.analytictech.com/mb021/motivation.htm |website = analytictech.com }}</ref>
* M (Motivation) is the amount an individual will be motivated by the condition or environment they placed themselves in, which is based on the following. Hence the equation.
* E (Expectancy) is the person's perception that effort will result in performance. In other words, it's the person's assessment of how well and what kind of effort will relate to better performance.
* I (Instrumentality) is the person's perception that performance will be rewarded or punished.
* V (Valence) is the perceived amount of the reward or punishment that will result from the performance."<ref name="analytictech.com"/>