Passage
Health psychologists interested in studying the influence of positive and negative thinking on weight loss conducted a study on 120 obese adults attempting to lose weight. Participants indicated on a scale of 1 to 7 how successful they thought they would be at losing weight (1 = "not successful" and 7 = "very successful") and how much control they believed they had over their success (1 = "no control" and 7 = "complete control") , recorded as expectation of success scores and control of success scores, respectively.Participants were then randomly divided into three groups and asked to complete a 15-minute guided mental exercise twice a day for three weeks. Participants in the fantasy/reality contrast condition were instructed to reflect on two positive aspects of a fantasized weight loss, such as attaining better health and more energy, and two negative aspects of reality that impede weight loss, such as lack of discipline and desire to eat unhealthy foods. Participants in the positive fantasy condition were asked to reflect on four positive aspects of weight loss, and participants in the negative reality condition were asked to reflect on four factors that impede weight loss.At the end of this three-week period, participants began a three-month diet and exercise regimen involving caloric restriction to 1,500 calories per day as well as regular participation in aerobic exercise and weight training. Researchers recorded weekly weights of participants and surveyed participants regarding adherence to proactive weight loss strategies. The results are shown by group in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 1 Average weight recorded for each group during three-month follow-up
Figure 2 Initial expectation of success score versus average weight loss
-The study design described in the passage is most aligned with which theory of motivation?

Question

Passage
Health psychologists interested in studying the influence of positive and negative thinking on weight loss conducted a study on 120 obese adults attempting to lose weight. Participants indicated on a scale of 1 to 7 how successful they thought they would be at losing weight (1 = "not successful" and 7 = "very successful") and how much control they believed they had over their success (1 = "no control" and 7 = "complete control") , recorded as expectation of success scores and control of success scores, respectively.Participants were then randomly divided into three groups and asked to complete a 15-minute guided mental exercise twice a day for three weeks. Participants in the fantasy/reality contrast condition were instructed to reflect on two positive aspects of a fantasized weight loss, such as attaining better health and more energy, and two negative aspects of reality that impede weight loss, such as lack of discipline and desire to eat unhealthy foods. Participants in the positive fantasy condition were asked to reflect on four positive aspects of weight loss, and participants in the negative reality condition were asked to reflect on four factors that impede weight loss.At the end of this three-week period, participants began a three-month diet and exercise regimen involving caloric restriction to 1,500 calories per day as well as regular participation in aerobic exercise and weight training. Researchers recorded weekly weights of participants and surveyed participants regarding adherence to proactive weight loss strategies. The results are shown by group in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 Average weight recorded for each group during three-month follow-up

Figure 2 Initial expectation of success score versus average weight loss
-The study design described in the passage is most aligned with which theory of motivation?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0c9b_6d74_a3bf_99efaea85d12_MD0008_00 The expectancy theory of motivation proposes that individuals are motivated to act based on the expected outcomes of their behavior. According to this theory, motivation involves expectancy, instrumentality, and valence: Expectancy is the belief that one will be able to achieve the desired outcome. Asking participants to rate how successful they think they will be at losing weight is a measure of expectancy. Instrumentality is the belief that one has control over the desired outcome. Asking participants to rate how much control they believe they have over their success is a measure of instrumentality. Valence involves the value placed on the desired outcome. If the researchers also asked participants to rate how much they wanted to lose weight, this would be a measure of valence. (Choice A) The arousal theory of motivation suggests that individuals are motivated to maintain an optimum level of arousal. When underaroused, people seek activities to increase stimulation (eg, if bored at home, one will go out dancing). When overaroused, people seek to decrease stimulation (eg, if overwhelmed at a party, one will step outside for quiet). (Choice C) The incentive theory of motivation suggests that individuals are motivated according to external rewards. Therefore, people engage in the behavior that results in the most desirable outcomes. For example, people are motivated to go to work to make money. (Choice D) The humanistic theory of motivation suggests that, assuming more basic needs (like hunger) have been met, individuals are ultimately motivated to seek self-actualization, the ultimate fulfillment of their own potential. The motivation to pursue a medical degree is an example of wanting to fulfill one's potential. Educational objective: The expectancy theory of motivation proposes that motivation results from expectancy (believing one is capable of achieving an outcome), instrumentality (believing one has control over the outcome), and valence (believing the outcome is desirable).

Passage Health Psychologists Interested in Studying the Influence of Positive and and Negative