Motivation and Action gives an extensive and in-depth overview of the diverse lines of research in motivational psychology, in terms of its historical foundations, up-to-date conceptual developments, and empirical research. The major classes of motivated behavior are addressed and the critical processes involved in motivation and volition are discussed in detail. Different conceptual and empirical lines of research are integrated and analyzed as to the common issues and phenomena they address, thus providing a most useful guideline for understanding debates in current motivational, educational, and social psychology.