WMJ01501 Current Directions in Behavioral Science

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course) Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Integrated Arts and Human Sciences Program

Lecture Code WMJ01501 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 最新行動科学特論

Subject Name
（Katakana）サイシンコウドウカガクトクロン

Subject Name in
English Current Directions in Behavioral Science

Instructor To be announced.,SATO NOBUYA

Instructor
(Katakana) タントウキョウインミテイ,サトウ　ノブヤ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year, First Semester, Intensive

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (Int) Inte：IAS J306

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 　 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 5 : Graduate Basic

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 06 : Psychology

Eligible Students

Keywords Motivation, Education, Evaluation, Social Psychology, Social Cognition

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline Class Objectives
1. To understand major theories and empirical findings on motivation in social psychology.
2. To examine real-world issues in light of motivational theories and research.

Class Outline
Motivation plays a central role in academic achievement, work performance, and everyday life. Social psychology has accumulated extensive empirical findings and theoretical frameworks on motivation. This course introduces these theories and findings and discusses how they can be applied to analyze and improve real-world problems.

Class Schedule lesson 1. Introduction to the psychology of motivation
lesson 2. Foundations of motivational psychology
lesson 3. The psychology of overcoming challenges: Growth mindset
lesson 4. Autonomous motivation: Self-determination theory　
lesson 5. Understanding and utilizing strengths: Positive psychology
lesson 6. It Is Not a Matter of Motivation: The Psychology of Learning Strategies
lesson 7. Promotion and prevention: Regulatory focus theory
lesson 8. Evaluating interventions and policies: Nudges and well-being
lesson 9. The psychology of safety: Threat appeals and protection motivation theory
lesson 10. Resisting temptation: Self-control
lesson 11. Goal pursuit and automaticity: Implementation intentions
lesson 12. Motivation for social change: System justification theory
lesson 13. Do people understand their own minds?: Meta-motivation
lesson 14. Summary, reflection, and the future of motivation research
lesson 15. Final examination (final report)

Reaction papers during the lectures and the final report will be conducted.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. Takehashi, H. Social Psychology of Motivation. (In Japanese, “Motivation no Shakai Shinrigaku”) ISBN: 978-4-7803-1317-8
Handouts will also be provided.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts, Audio Materials, Visual Materials, moodle

(More Details)

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Post-class Report

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Students are encouraged to reflect on problems and personal experiences related to motivation before and after each class.

Requirements Since this is an intensive lecture, please make sure to attend all four days.

Grading Method Assessment will be based on reports: Midterm report (40%), Final report (60%)

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other 【Class Schedule】
　September 15th, period 5-10
　September 16th, period 1-10
　September 17th, period 1-10
　September 18th, period 1-4

Students scheduled to graduate in September 2025 are not eligible to enroll.

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2026Year	School/Graduate School	Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course) Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Integrated Arts and Human Sciences Program
Lecture Code	WMJ01501	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	最新行動科学特論
Subject Name （Katakana）	サイシンコウドウカガクトクロン
Subject Name in English	Current Directions in Behavioral Science
Instructor	To be announced.,SATO NOBUYA
Instructor (Katakana)	タントウキョウインミテイ,サトウ　ノブヤ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, First Semester, Intensive
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(Int) Inte：IAS J306
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face

Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week		Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	5 : Graduate Basic
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	06 : Psychology
Eligible Students
Keywords	Motivation, Education, Evaluation, Social Psychology, Social Cognition
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	Class Objectives 1. To understand major theories and empirical findings on motivation in social psychology. 2. To examine real-world issues in light of motivational theories and research. Class Outline Motivation plays a central role in academic achievement, work performance, and everyday life. Social psychology has accumulated extensive empirical findings and theoretical frameworks on motivation. This course introduces these theories and findings and discusses how they can be applied to analyze and improve real-world problems.
Class Schedule	lesson 1. Introduction to the psychology of motivation lesson 2. Foundations of motivational psychology lesson 3. The psychology of overcoming challenges: Growth mindset lesson 4. Autonomous motivation: Self-determination theory　 lesson 5. Understanding and utilizing strengths: Positive psychology lesson 6. It Is Not a Matter of Motivation: The Psychology of Learning Strategies lesson 7. Promotion and prevention: Regulatory focus theory lesson 8. Evaluating interventions and policies: Nudges and well-being lesson 9. The psychology of safety: Threat appeals and protection motivation theory lesson 10. Resisting temptation: Self-control lesson 11. Goal pursuit and automaticity: Implementation intentions lesson 12. Motivation for social change: System justification theory lesson 13. Do people understand their own minds?: Meta-motivation lesson 14. Summary, reflection, and the future of motivation research lesson 15. Final examination (final report) Reaction papers during the lectures and the final report will be conducted.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	Takehashi, H. Social Psychology of Motivation. (In Japanese, “Motivation no Shakai Shinrigaku”) ISBN: 978-4-7803-1317-8 Handouts will also be provided.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts, Audio Materials, Visual Materials, moodle
(More Details)
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Post-class Report
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Students are encouraged to reflect on problems and personal experiences related to motivation before and after each class.
Requirements	Since this is an intensive lecture, please make sure to attend all four days.
Grading Method	Assessment will be based on reports: Midterm report (40%), Final report (60%)
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other	【Class Schedule】　September 15th, period 5-10 　September 16th, period 1-10 　September 17th, period 1-10 　September 18th, period 1-4 Students scheduled to graduate in September 2025 are not eligible to enroll.
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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