This collection of classic and contemporary readings explores the social and cognitive underpinnings of the psychology of motivation. Written in a student-friendly style, author commentaries accompany each unit and article, providing historical and contextual analyses throughout. Looking at human motivation from a social psychological perspective, the text examines such issues as why some people respond to success by lowering their level of aspiration while others raise it; why some people go out of their way to identify with stigmatized minority groups; and why people become more patriotic after thinking about their death. The Social Psychology of Motivation is an impressive blend of empirical research, theoretical analysis, and fresh Canadian commentary.

Jason Plaks' profile page

Jason Plaks is associate professor in the department of psychology at the University of Toronto, St George campus. He is a social/personality psychologist primarily interested in the links between cognition and motivation. His main research and teaching areas include social cognition; motivation and goal setting; prejudice and stereotyping; and self and identity. He has published numerous book chapters and articles across the discipline, including material in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Personality and Social Psychology Review.

"Introductions to the articles are informative, setting the context in terms of both the historical development of the ideas and their practical application. This collection provides a historical overview and gives access to and reminds us of some groundbreaking articles in motivation." --Patrice Karn, University of Ottawa

"The author's writing style is well suited to our undergraduate students, and should provide interesting access to the professional literature in this area . . . I believe that students are well-served by introducing them to the actual scientific literature, and thus welcome such a text." --Katherine Arbuthnott, Campion College at the University of Regina