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Cognitive Theories of Motivation

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About

The Cognitive Theories of Motivation mind map template provides a structured overview of five major psychological frameworks explaining human motivation: Expectancy x Value, Self-Efficacy, Goals and Goal Orientation, Attribution, and Self-Determination. With 38 nodes across these branches, it covers key concepts like 'task value', 'performance-approach' goals, and 'locus' of causality. This template serves as a comprehensive cheat sheet for students, educators, and researchers studying motivational psychology. Each branch breaks down theoretical components—for instance, the Expectancy x Value branch details 'task difficulty' and 'self-schemas', while Self-Determination focuses on psychological needs: 'competence', 'autonomy', and 'relatedness'. The layout is organized as a radial mind map, making it easy to compare theories at a glance.

Terms and Conditions

When to use this template

Psychology students and test-takers

Preparing for a psychology exam on motivation theories

HR professionals and organizational trainers

Designing a workshop on employee motivation for HR teams

Academic researchers and graduate students

Writing a research paper comparing motivational frameworks

How to use this template

Step 1

Open and Review Core Theories

Open the template in Xmind to explore the five main branches covering Expectancy x Value, Self-Efficacy, Goals, Attribution, and Self-Determination.

Step 2

Explore Detailed Concepts and Nodes

Expand the 38 nodes to study specific psychological components such as task value, self-schemas, and the three basic psychological needs.

Step 3

Personalize Content and Export Work

Add your own research notes and customize the visual styles before exporting the map as a PDF or image for your study sessions.

Frequently asked questions

The template covers five major theories: Expectancy x Value, Self-Efficacy, Goals and Goal Orientation, Attribution, and Self-Determination. Each branch includes key sub-concepts like task value, performance-approach goals, and psychological needs.

Open the .xmind file in Xmind, then expand each branch to review definitions and relationships. You can add notes, examples, or color-code theories for exam prep or class notes.

Yes, the template is fully editable in Xmind. You can add, remove, or reorganize nodes, attach notes or links, and customize the layout to fit your study needs.

The Attribution branch organizes perceived causes for success and failure into three dimensions: locus (internal vs. external), stability (stable vs. unstable), and control (controllable vs. uncontrollable).

Absolutely. You can add specific examples for each source—past performance, physiological factors, verbal persuasion, and emotional states—by editing or adding child nodes.

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