The Science of Motivation

Catherine Pierson

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Science of Motivation

Understand motivation drivers

In this lesson, students will explore the psychological and neurological aspects of motivation through interactive experiments and discussions. Understanding motivation is crucial for personal development and can help students identify what drives their own behaviors and decisions. This lesson will provide insights into human behavior, enhancing students' self-awareness and ability to set and achieve personal goals.

Audience

High School Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Understand motivation drivers

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Discussion Questions, Experiment Instructions, and Worksheet

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief overview of motivation and its importance in daily life.
Ask students to share examples of what motivates them in different situations.
Introduce the objectives of the lesson.

Step 2

Experiment Activity

20 mins

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with instructions for a simple motivation experiment (e.g., reward-based task).
Allow students to conduct the experiment and observe outcomes.
Encourage students to take notes on their observations.

Step 3

Discussion

15 mins

Reconvene as a class and discuss the results of the experiments.
Use the provided discussion questions to guide the conversation.
Encourage students to reflect on how the experiment relates to their personal experiences with motivation.

Step 4

Worksheet Activity

10 mins

Distribute the worksheet to students.
Have students complete questions related to the psychological and neurological aspects of motivation.
Encourage students to think critically about how these aspects influence behavior.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

Summarize key points from the lesson.
Ask students to share one new insight they gained about motivation.
Provide a brief preview of the next lesson topic.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions on Motivation

This discussion will help students reflect on their experiment results and connect them to real-life motivation scenarios.

What factors seemed to influence motivation in your experiment?

Encourage students to consider both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.

How do the results of your experiment relate to your personal experiences with motivation?

Guide students to connect the experiment outcomes with their own life situations.

What role do you think neurological factors play in motivation?

Discuss the brain's role in processing rewards and motivation signals.

Worksheet

Motivation Worksheet

This worksheet will help students explore the psychological and neurological aspects of motivation through targeted questions.

Define intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and provide examples of each.

Think about motivations that come from within versus those that are influenced by external rewards.

Describe a situation where you felt highly motivated. What factors contributed to this feeling?

Consider both internal desires and external incentives.

How can understanding motivation help you achieve your personal goals?

Reflect on how motivation can be harnessed to improve goal-setting and achievement.