Motivation and learning

Motivation. What does this vague concept mean, and what are its benefits for studying and learning?

Let’s start with the latter, because it’s easy to answer. Whatever the source of motivation, good motivation has been found to have at least the following effects on learning:

• Guides you towards a goal and a target.
• Leads to greater effort and energy.
• Makes it easier to start a study session.
• Improves cognitive processing, e.g. information structuring and linking to previous learning.
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