Philosophy of Science, Motivation and Volition, and Developing Motivational Assessment

Kuhl, Julius

Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Osnabrück

Julius Kuhl, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Osnabrück, Seminarstrasse 20, 49074 Osnabrück, Germany [email protected]

Received October 8, 2019

revised March 26, 2020

Accepted March 26, 2020

Motivation Science 6(3):p 189-191, September 2020. | DOI: 10.1037/mot0000184

Reflecting on the enormous treasure of Heinz Heckhausen’s legacy, I selected 3 issues that have been especially relevant for my own scientific work: First, his philosophy of science combined with a commitment to Kurt Lewin’s application of Gestalt psychology to the study of human motivation. Second, his contribution to the reconciliation of Lewin’s experimental explorations of human motivation and classical German psychology of volition (Würzburg school). And third, his continuing interest in the development of motivation theory (including volition) and assessment tools for measuring individual differences in implicit motives.