Temporal motivation theory

Temporal motivation theory (TMT) is an integrative motivational theory. Developed by Piers Steel and Cornelius J. König, the theory emphasizes time as a critical, motivational factor. The argument for a broad, integrative theory stems from the absence of a single theory that can address motivation in its entirety. Thus, it incorporates primary aspects of multiple major theories, including expectancy theory, hyperbolic discounting, need theory and cumulative prospect theory. According to Schmidt, Dolis and Tolli, Temporal Motivation Theory "may help further the understanding of the impact of time, and particularly deadlines, on dynamic attention allocation." The Temporal Motivation Theory formula can be applied to the human behaviour, procrastination and to goal setting. According to Lord, Diefenforff, Schmidt and Hall, the theory "models the motivating power of approaching deadlines, arguing that the perceived utility of a given activity increases exponentially as the deadline nears. These and similar ideas have been applied to the pervasive phenomenon of procrastination".

The theory states an individual's motivation for a task can be derived with the following formula (in its simplest form):

where ${\displaystyle Motivation}$, the desire for a particular outcome, ${\displaystyle Expectancy}$ or self-efficacy is the probability of success, ${\displaystyle Value}$ is the reward associated with the outcome, ${\displaystyle Impulsiveness}$ is the individual’s sensitivity to delay and ${\displaystyle Delay}$ is the time to realization.

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