In this blog post, we will look at the various motivations that lead people to read books and how those motivations lead to a habit of reading.
There are many different reasons why we read, such as recommendations from teachers or friends, self-improvement, and more. Some people read to satisfy their intellectual curiosity, while others read to relieve stress or escape from their daily lives. As you can see, the motivation to read varies from person to person, and these motivations serve as an important driving force for starting and continuing reading activities. Motivation to read is defined as “the force that drives and sustains reading,” which includes two aspects: the beginning and continuation of reading. Motivation to read is closely related to various factors, such as personal experiences, the surrounding environment, and social influences. These motivations can be explained by two types of motivation proposed by Schutz: “because motivation” and “for motivation.”
The “because motivation” for reading refers to the reason for reading. This is the trigger for reading, so it corresponds to events or experiences that occurred before reading. For example, when students read a book assigned as homework at school, the homework becomes the “because motivation” that triggers reading. In addition, the “for motivation” for reading refers to the purpose to be achieved through reading. Since the purpose is achieved as a result of reading, it is characterized as an expectation or prediction of the state after reading, and therefore, there is a possibility that it may not be achieved. For example, if a student receives a book as a gift from a friend and decides to read it, receiving the book as a gift is the “because of” motivation for reading. If the student sets a goal to read the book and discuss it with their friend, this becomes the “in order to” motivation. In addition, feeling a sense of accomplishment or inspiration through reading, or not disappointing a friend by reading a book they gave you as a gift, are also things that can be expected as a result of reading, so they can also be considered “motives for the sake of.”
Understanding the types of reading motives is useful for understanding and analyzing various reading activities. For example, people who read materials related to their studies or work mainly start reading because of ”motives because of.” On the other hand, people who read books related to their hobbies or interests may rely more on “motivation for something.” In addition, reading motivation can vary depending on age, gender, occupation, cultural background, and other factors. For children and adolescents, the recommendation of parents or teachers can be an important “motivation because of something,” while adults often continue reading for “motivation for something” for self-improvement or leisure activities.
These concepts of motivation help explain the process of forming reading habits. The key to a successful reading experience is to experience enjoyment and benefit through reading. When people have such experiences, they want to read more books, and that desire leads to new reading behaviors. The enjoyment and benefits of reading become “because” motivations, which in turn become reasons for new reading behaviors. At the same time, it also becomes a “for what” motivation that makes you want to experience it again through new reading activities. Through this virtuous cycle, reading experiences are repeated and deepened, and reading habits are naturally formed.
In order to form reading habits, it is important to make appropriate use of “because” and “for what” motivations. First, you need to create a “because” motivation that will encourage you to start reading by creating the right environment. For example, setting up a reading space at home or participating in a book club can help strengthen “because” motivation. It is also important to stimulate “for” motivation by setting goals that will give you a sense of accomplishment after reading. It is necessary to continue reading with the goal of gaining knowledge, inspiration, and enjoyment through reading.
Therefore, in order to form a reading habit, it is important to first start reading based on “because” motivation and “in order to” motivation, and then continue reading through successful reading experiences. Through this process, reading will become a part of daily life, and the positive effects of reading will become even greater. Understanding and utilizing reading motivation is an important factor in enriching reading activities.
