We all know the feeling—that sudden burst of motivation that comes out of nowhere and propels us to take on whatever challenge is in front of us. Whether it’s finishing a project at work or going for a run, we feel like we can achieve anything.
However, new research suggests that too much motivation can actually have a negative effect on our decision-making.
In a study published in the journal Psychological Science, researchers found that people who were highly motivated to succeed at a task were more likely to make risky choices.
The study asked participants to play a game in which they had to choose between two options—a sure thing or a gamble. The researchers found that the people who were most motivated to win were more likely to take the gamble, even when it was not in their best interest.
So why does too much motivation lead to bad decision-making?
The researchers believe that it has to do with how our brains process information. When we’re highly motivated, we tend to focus on the potential rewards of a situation and ignore the risks.
This can lead us to make impulsive decisions that we later regret.
So next time you’re feeling super motivated, take a step back and assess the situation before you make a decision. Evaluate the risks and rewards so you can make the best choice for yourself.
Decision making is an important cognitive process that allows us to choose between different options. The ability to make decisions efficiently can be affected by many different factors, including motivation.
It has been found that people who are highly motivated are more likely to make decisions that are rash and impulsive. This is because they are more likely to focus on the potential rewards of a decision, rather than the risks.
This can lead to sub-optimal decision making, as the individual may not take the time to consider all of the possible outcomes. In some cases, this can even lead to dangerous or harmful decisions.
It is therefore important to be aware of the impact that motivation can have on decision making. If you are facing a decision, it may be helpful to take a step back and consider all of the potential outcomes before acting.
