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Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation
In a book that challenges authoritarian thinking about motivation, a distinguished social psychologist offers an alternative to current reward/punishment theory, which, far from anarchy, espouses our ordered, internalized sense of freedom, responsibility, and commitment.
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
August 1st 1996
by Penguin Books
(first published June 13th 1995)
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I checked out this book from the local library based on a book I recently listened to on CD, _Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us_ by Daniel Pink (which reminds me, I still have to put that book on my read list!). At the end of the book (as in many of this type) there is a list of books to read for more information about the topic of motivation.
Why We Do What We Do is the second book I have read from that list (the first, Born Standing Up, was also really great), and ...more
Why We Do What We Do is the second book I have read from that list (the first, Born Standing Up, was also really great), and ...more
Why We Do What We Do is not a creative or orginal title; however, it is an accurate description of what this book is about. If you want to understand how motivation works, both intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external), as well as the power and importance of self-motivation, it's an absolute must-read.
While the author, Edward L. Deci, offers the results of years of research on the subjects of autonomy, competency, and relatedness (which he says are all human neeeds), he provides...more
While the author, Edward L. Deci, offers the results of years of research on the subjects of autonomy, competency, and relatedness (which he says are all human neeeds), he provides...more
A good overview of the author's research on the psychology of motivation. The first half of the book examines how deadlines, pressure, threats, and even rewards have the paradoxical effect of reducing intrinsic motivation on many tasks. This happens because people shift their attention to external incentives and penalties. However, when people feel that they are choosing to do something because they want to do it, they tend to persist longer and learn better. Their feelings of autonomy and compe...more
Hmmmm...well I suspect I suffer from the malady of wanting to read more 'textbook' like renditions of psychological/sociological material because I just can't get into the whole Daniel Pink era of (what feels like to me) really simplified extrapolations of scientific research. I prefer to read the 'drier' stuff and draw my own conclusions...
With this one, the conclusions and recommendations drawn and made by Deci just seemed so very intuitive and common sense given the basic outcomes o...more
With this one, the conclusions and recommendations drawn and made by Deci just seemed so very intuitive and common sense given the basic outcomes o...more
This is a more or less popular press summary of the many years of research Deci did with his colleague Richard Ryan and others. It's kind of an oddly placed book, as it's a bit techy for a popular audience but at times too basic for an academic audience. For me, it was a good quick summary to get up to speed before taking a class on motivation.
In fact, I only finished about 2/3 of the book, because the semester is starting and it's time to put the "pleasure" reading aside, ...more
In fact, I only finished about 2/3 of the book, because the semester is starting and it's time to put the "pleasure" reading aside, ...more
I had to read this for school, but I'm so glad I did - it was brilliant. It's applicable for everything from product development to raising children to being a great manager. It got beyond the basics without being dry or clinical.
This is a great exploration of the psychology of motivation.
I like how this book gives examples of how we can't really motivate others. We can only provide an enviornment where people want to motivate themselves. Great to remember in family relatinships.
Amazing and insightful book!
Excellent for psychologists, philosphers, or anyone who finds it interesting to read about why people do things. Keeps a good perspective in congruence with human agency.
Interesting, but very dry. It reads sort of like a psych textbook. Would be an interesting book for parenting. You can read the first 50 pages and get the gist.
A must for parents, teachers, and managers who want to move beyond the options of control and abandonment to encouraging autonomy.
This is a really good book and can give you some interesting facts about self-motivation.
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