This project is a requirement of Psychology In Learning, a
  NU600 class for The University of North Alabama
Masters in Nursing Program

Motivation is a pivotal concept in the process of learning.  It is the drive that causes one to act, whether it is eating because of hunger, working to get a paycheck, or reading a book to gain knowledge.  What motivates a person depends on both external and internal factors, but it is the internal state that causes one to act.  A person's basic character, or personality, plays a part in behavior.  Personality is defined as a fairly stable way that an individual interacts with people and situations.  Words that describe someone such as honest or ambitious are called personality traits and can be studied using trait theories. Traits can be assessed using personality inventories as well as other sources of data. This information can tell us what people do, however, it does not give much insight into why people behave a certain way.  Whether a person's motivation is influenced more by the situation and environment, or more by personality, is difficult to determine.  As personality becomes more stable with age, it plays a bigger role in predicting behavior (Baird, 2010, pp. 186-197).  This blog will explore trait theories and how individual differences in personality affect motivation.