Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between emotional experience and autonomous motivation in academic and friendship domains. In study 1, the relationship between daily emotional experience and academic and friendship motivation was investigated among female college students (N=302). Results suggested that valence of emotional experience was associated with academic and friendship motivation, and the amount of emotional experience was related to the strength of motivation in both the academic and friendship domains. The relationship between emotional experience and motivation were similar in the academic domain and friendship domains. In study 2, the relationship between emotional experience of specific life events and autonomous motivation were investigated among female college and junior college students (N=106). Results suggested that positive emotional experiences were associated with autonomous motivation in the academic domain, while negative emotional experiences were related to autonomous motivation in the friendship domain. The importance of distinguishing relevant domains in considering relationships between emotional experiences and autonomous motivation is discussed.
