Conation, Volition, and Self-Regulation

Citation: Huitt, W. (2011). Conation, volition, and self-regulation. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved [date], from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/conation/index.html

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In the Brilliant Star framework, conation, volition, and self-regulation relate to how one consciously controls one's focus, mental processing, intentions, and behavior. This conscious control is an essential capacity that differentiates animals and human beings. In the chaotic conditions of modern and post-modern society (Huitt, 2007), development of the capacities of self-regulation is an important key to success. 

Several important topics are related to self-regulation.  For example, one's worldview paradigm (Willis, 2007)provides the framework of selecting, processing, and organizing information about the world, especially how one views one's self (Huitt, 2009) and how one goes about identifying and meeting one's human needs (e.g., Maslow, 1954, 1971). Other topics associated with conation (Huitt, 1999) include developing a vision for one's life, setting goals, making action plans, and reflecting on one's actions.

References:

• Huitt, W. (1999). Conation as an important factor of mind. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved May 2003, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/regsys/conation.html
• Huitt, W. (2007). Success in the Conceptual Age: Another paradigm shift. Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Georgia Educational Research Association, Savannah, GA, October 26. Retrieved November 2009, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/papers/conceptual-age-s.pdf
• Huitt, W. (2009). Self-concept and self-esteem. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved July 2011, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/regsys/self.html
• Maslow, A. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper.
• Maslow, A. (1971). The farther reaches of human nature. New York: The Viking Press
• Willis, (2007). Foundations of qualitative research: Interpretive and critical approaches (Chapter 1). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Retrieved July 2011, from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/13885_Chapter1.pdf

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