The collaboration with the Cambridge Center of International Research has now reached its one-month mark. Following a series of discussions with the professor, I have finally honed in on a specific research topic.
Initially, I had contemplated delving into a cultural study, considering a horizontal comparison of similar experiments or substances across different countries. Regrettably, the professor expressed reservations about the feasibility of such an approach. Consequently, I shifted my focus to the influence of caffeine on motivation.
The primary phase of my research involves defining the concept of “motivation.” While undertaking this endeavor, a remarkable realization dawned upon me – that I had previously encountered the concept last year at the University of Washington. This realization prompted me to explore ways of connecting my past knowledge with my current research endeavors. Delving into my notes from the previous summer, I found this process to be particularly enlightening, ultimately serving as an inspiration to steer my research in its present direction.
In my understanding, motivation is the force that moves people to behave; drives, according to the second lecture the professor had provided, is something that pushes behavior.
After a brief research about the relationship between intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, drives, and incentive. A journal compared intrinsic motivation with drive, extrinsic motivation with incentive, saying that extrinsic motivation and incentive are both about seeking for rewards and avoiding for punishment. The theory also involves about reinforcement and punishment.
The hypothesis now is that there is distinguish difference between these four psychological concepts, and my prediction is that intrinsic motivation will be more long lasting than extrinsic motivations.
The structure I planned for my research paper:
In the next two weeks, other than preparing for SAT, I will be diving into writing my next research paper.
towards wellness 
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