Date Awarded

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Todd M Thrash

Committee Member

Adrian Bravo

Committee Member

Jennifer Stevens

Abstract

Inspiration is a process whereby a person recognizes an idea of intrinsic value and feels motivated to transmit that value through some creative activity. Inspiration is known to be a desirable state to experience in a person’s daily life, yet little is known about whether or how individuals can bring about their own inspiration states. The current research involves developing a measure of inspiration strategies and evaluating that measure on a sample of 439 undergraduate William and Mary students. We gathered data on strategy use and experiences of inspiration. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in three factors: reception, approach, and volition, representing key ways that people engage with inspiration strategies. Multiple regression analysis showed strategies labeled stimulation seeking, hearing, and channeling to be significant predictors of inspiration, indicating preliminary efficacy for those strategies. Future research will involve longitudinal designs which can determine if strategy use precedes inspiration states.

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.21220/s2-9c94-1n03

Rights

© The Author

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