Regulatory Drive: A Review of the Literature
Introduction
Regulatory drive is a term used to describe an individual’s motivation to maintain or achieve a desired level of performance. It is a concept that has been studied in various contexts, including sports, academics, and health-related behaviors. While the concept of regulatory drive has been studied for decades, there is still much to be learned about its underlying mechanisms and its implications for behavior. This review provides an overview of the literature on regulatory drive, including definitions, antecedents, and implications for behavior.
Definitions
Regulatory drive is defined as the motivation to maintain or reach an optimal level of performance, and is often characterized by a need to strive for excellence, to reach one’s full potential, and to persist in the face of adversity (Tannenbaum et al., 1996). The concept of regulatory drive is closely related to the concept of self-regulation, which refers to an individual’s ability to regulate their own behavior in order to reach a goal (Carver & Scheier, 2000).
Antecedents
Generally, individuals with a high level of regulatory drive tend to be intrinsically motivated, have a strong sense of purpose, and are willing to invest effort in order to achieve a desired level of performance (Tannenbaum et al., 1996). Additionally, research indicates that regulatory drive is associated with two primary antecedents: self-efficacy and self-determination (DeCharms, 1968; Vallerand et al., 1992). Self-efficacy is an individual’s belief in their own ability to perform a task, while self-determination is the degree to which an individual is driven by internal, rather than external, motivation (Deci & Ryan, 2000).
Implications for Behavior
Regulatory drive has been linked to a variety of positive outcomes, including increased performance, improved mental health, and greater wellbeing (Tannenbaum et al., 1996). Additionally, research suggests that individuals with high levels of regulatory drive are more likely to persist in goal-directed behaviors, even when faced with difficulty or failure (Vallerand et al., 1992). Finally, regulatory drive has been associated with improved academic performance and higher levels of physical activity (DeCharms, 1968; Vallerand et al., 1992).
Conclusion
Regulatory drive is an important concept in understanding behavior. It is associated with two primary antecedents, self-efficacy and self-determination, and has been linked to a variety of positive outcomes, including increased performance, improved mental health, and greater wellbeing. This review provided an overview of the literature on regulatory drive, and highlighted the need for further research into its underlying mechanisms and implications for behavior.
References
Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (2000). On the self-regulation of behavior. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
DeCharms, R. (1968). Personal causation: The internal affective determinants of behavior. New York, NY: Academic Press.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
Tannenbaum, S. I., Williams, C., & diMattia, D. (1996). Regulatory focus and the pursuit of excellence. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 8(1), 27–42.
Vallerand, R. J., Blanchard, C., Mageau, G. A., Koestner, R., Ratelle, C., Léonard, M., & Provencher, P. (1992). The academic motivation scale: A measure of intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation in education. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 52(4), 1003–1017.