Purposive, goal-directed behaviour is one of the defining characteristics of human beings. This volume surveys theories and research on the psychological mechanisms involved in the planning and execution of motivated social behaviour. The contributors are all leading international researchers, and their chapters discuss such exciting topics as how goals influence thinking and behaviour, how affect and social motivation interact, how unconscious motivation operates, and the relationship between habits and intentions as sources of social action. The applications of contemporary research on motivation to practical questions in clinical, organisational, educational and counselling psychology receive special attention. The book is written in a readable yet scholarly style. The chapters take a highly comprehensive and integrative approach, and the book should be of interest to students, practitioners and researchers interested in the psychology of motivation, and should also be suitable as an advanced textbook of this field.

This presents research by leading international researchers on the nature, functions and characteristics of social motivation.

About the Author
Joseph Paul Forgas is Scientia Professor of Psychology at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He has a distinguished research record and has published some seventeen books and over 150 journal articles and chapters in some of the most selective journals in the field. His work has received widespread international recognition.

Reviews
"Well written scholarly, and engaging. Even the most complex ideas are lucidly expressed....This book definitely belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in nuanced, thoughtful summaries of current research programs exploring the conscious and unconscious mechanisms...of motivated social behavior." Contemporary Psychology



Book Information
ISBN 9780521832540
Author Joseph P. Forgas
Format Hardback
Page Count 410
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 508g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 27mm