Psychological Mechanisms of Forming Stable Intrinsic Motivation when Achieving Long-Term Goals

Citation: Mariia Lytvynenko, "Psychological Mechanisms of Forming Stable Intrinsic Motivation when Achieving Long-Term Goals", Universal Library of Multidisciplinary, Volume 01, Issue 02.

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

The article examines the psychological mechanisms underlying the formation of stable intrinsic motivation in the pursuit of long-term goals, drawing on contemporary empirical and theoretical research within the frameworks of self-determination theory, self-regulation psychology, and organizational psychology. The analysis integrates evidence on contextual, motivational, and regulatory factors of goal pursuit, emphasizing the processual and mediated nature of stable motivation formation. It is shown that intrinsic motivation does not function as a direct predictor of short-term well-being or behavioral intensity, but exerts its influence through mechanisms of goal internalization, restructuring of self-regulation, and reduced dependence on external control. Particular attention is given to the role of supportive social and organizational contexts, as well as proactive motivational states, including self-efficacy, meaningful involvement, and positive emotional experience. The analysis demonstrates that the stability of intrinsic motivation emerges when three conditions converge: a supportive context, internal acceptance of the goal, and an accessible level of task demands that does not exhaust motivational resources. It is argued that the absence of immediate increases in subjective well-being does not contradict the stability of intrinsic motivation, as its core effect is cumulative and manifests in the capacity to sustain self-regulated behavior over time. The article may be useful for researchers and practitioners studying motivation, self-regulation, and the psychological conditions of sustainable long-term goal achievement.

Keywords: Intrinsic Motivation, Self-Regulation, Goal Internalization, Long-Term Goals, Psychological Needs, Supportive Context, Motivational Stability.

https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulmdi.2024.0102005