Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Research Report

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Motivational Activation Predicts Online Content Changes

Published Online:March 16, 2018https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000238

Abstract

Abstract. This study explores how motivational activation influences real-time selection behavior during picture viewing on a computer. We measured the trait level motivational reactivity (ASA and DSA) of 40 participants, who then viewed a series of pictures. Each participant was given the opportunity to select a new picture of either similar or different valence as the picture currently viewed. We recorded indicators of participants’ selection behavior: their propensity to change picture valence, ratio of pleasant to unpleasant pictures selected, and decision time (how long it took them to decide on the valence of the next picture). Results showed that motivational activation predicts each of these behavioral indicators, leading to some preliminary implications for online user experience as well as the suggestion that media outlets might consider variance in motivational activation when selecting online content.

References

  • Cacioppo, J. T., Gardner, W. L. & Berntson, G. G. (1997). Beyond bipolar conceptualizations and measures: The case of attitudes and evaluative space. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 1(1), 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr0101_2 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Cacioppo, J. T., Gardner, W. L. & Berntson, G. G. (1999). The affect system has parallel and integrative processing components: Form follows function. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 839–855. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.76.5.839 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 155. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Geir, A., Mucha, R. F. & Pauli, P. (2000). Appetitive nature of drug cues confirmed with physiological measures in a model using pictures of smoking. Psychopharmacology, 150, 283–291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000404 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Jarvis, B. G. (2008a). MediaLab (Version 2008.1) [Computer Software]. New York, NY: Empirisoft Corporation. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Jarvis, B. G. (2008b). DirectRT (Version 2008.1) [Computer Software]. New York, NY: Empirisoft Corporation. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lang, A., Bradley, S. D., Sparks, J. V. Jr. & Lee, S. (2007). The Motivation Activation Measure (MAM): How well does MAM predict individual differences in physiological indicators of appetitive and aversive activation? Communication Methods and Measures, 1, 113–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312450701399370 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lang, A., Kurita, S., Rubenking, B. R. & Potter, R. F. (2011). miniMAM: Validating a short version of the Motivation Activation Measure. Communication Methods and Measures, 5(2), 146–162. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lang, A., Shin, M. & Lee, S. (2005). Sensation seeking, motivation, and substance use: A dual system approach. Media Psychology, 7(1), 1–29. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lang, A., Wang, Z., Kurita, S., Bradley, S. D. & Rubenking, B. (2009). Motivational Activation Measure (MAM): Technical manual and normative ratings. Bloomington, IN: Taylot & Francis. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lang, A. & Yegiyan, N. (2011). Individual differences in motivational activation influence responses to pictures of taboo products. Journal of Health Communication, 16, 1072–1087. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2011.571336 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lang, P. J., Bradley, M. M. & Cuthbert, B. N. (2008). International affective picture system (IAPS): Affective ratings of pictures and instruction manual. Technical Report A-8. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Potter, R. F., Lee, S. & Rubenking, B. E. (2011). Correlating a motivation-activation measure with media preference. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 55(3), 400–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2011.597468 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Steuer, J. (1992). Defining virtual reality: Dimensions determining telepresence. Journal of Communication, 42(4), 73–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1992.tb00812.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sundar, S. S. (2004). Theorizing interactivity’s effects. The Information Society, 20(5), 385–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972240490508072 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wise, K., Alhabash, S. & Eckler, P. (2013). “Window” shopping online: Cognitive processing of general and specific product windows. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 13(2), 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/15252019.2013.826550 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wise, K., Alhabash, S. & Park, H. (2010). Emotional responses during social information seeking on Facebook. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13(5), 555–562. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2009.0365 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wise, K. & Reeves, B. (2007). The effect of user control on the cognitive and emotional processing of pictures. Media Psychology, 9, 549–566. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213260701283186 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wise, K., Kim, H. J. & Kim, J. (2009). The effect of searching versus surfing on cognitive and emotional responses to online news. Journal of Media Psychology, 21(2), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105.21.2.49 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar

  • Yeykelis, L., Cummings, J. J. & Reeves, B. (2014). Multitasking on a single device: Arousal and the frequency, anticipation, and prediction of switching between media content on a computer. Journal of Communication, 64(1), 167–192. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12070 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zuckerman, M. (1994). Behavioral expressions and biosocial bases of sensation seeking. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Zuckerman, M., Simons, R. F. & Como, P. G. (1988). Sensation seeking and stimulus intensity as modulators of cortical, cardiovascular, and electrodermal response: A cross-modality study. Personality and Individual Differences, 9(2), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(88)90099-2 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar