ABSTRACT
Early theories of motivation assumed that humans are biologically predisposed to act in a fixed way in certain situations. This is an instinct theory of motivation. One approach to motivation comes from the idea that humans have needs, such as hunger and thirst. Expectancy-value theories have been extended to achievement motivation in academic contexts and include values like enjoyment or personal importance. Self-determination theory has inspired much research. It is highly popular among educators because it promises that they can genuinely motivate students to learn instead of resorting to rewards and force. Another way to look at achievement motivation is through the lens of cognitive theories. In appraisal theories of emotion, the interpretation of the situation determines the quality of an emotion, which is in line with the two-factor theory. The same situation might be interpreted in different ways and therefore result in different emotions.
