Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

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MANAGEMENT OF EMOTION AND EFFORT 123

home, and school. For example, a student’s motivation to learn is

strongly influenced by his or her perceptions and beliefs about aca-

demic situations. These perceptions and beliefs often are identified by

analyzing self-talk.

What types of self-talk have you experienced in athletic compe-

tition or in other performance situations? What about test

situations?

HOW DOES SELF-TALK OPERATE?

Many individuals blame others for their negative emotional reac-

tions: “He made me mad” or “My friend’s response to my question

made me depressed.” People or events do not directly influence our

emotional reactions. Instead, our self-talk related to events is the pri-

mary cause of our attitudes and emotions.

The following is how one psychologist believes the process oper-

ates (Ellis, 1962): An event or experience occurs (A). We then process

the information and think about it (B). Finally, we react with our emo-

tions and tend to take some action regarding the initial event or

experience (C).

A. An event occurs A. A low score on a test.

B. Thoughts about the event B1. Self-talk: “I can’t learn this

(self-talk) stuff!” “What’s the use of

studying?”

B2. Self-talk: “I have the

ability to get these questions

correct if I put forth extra

effort.” “I’m going to study

differently next time.”

C. Emotion caused primarily C1. Emotion: sadness and

by the thoughts and self-talk anger

C2. Emotion: confidence

Note the different reactions—B1 and B2 to the event (A) and the

resulting emotional responses. The first response (B1) is an example

of harmful self-talk leading to negative emotional responses and often

inappropriate behavior in future test preparation situations. The sec-

ond response (B2) is an example of positive self-talk leading to a pos-

itive emotional response and possible changes in future test prepara-

tion situations.

Most of us use more positive than negative self-talk in dealing with the

events and situations in our lives. By using positive self-talk, individuals

are able to experience success in many different areas. When difficult