Blog post #7
The seventh blog post covers Control-Value Theory. It makes sense that we learned about this theory later on in our semester because, at its core, it combines many of the concepts that we wrote prior blog posts about. Control-Value theory incorporates Expectancy-Value Theory, Attribution Theory, Self-Efficacy Theory, and Appraisal Theory. Yet, at its core, the theory focuses on emotion, motivation, and how they are interconnected. Furthermore, the theory is very time conscious, with perceptions of control and values divided into three categories past, present, and future. Inside these three categories, the theory further splinters how each could manifest depending on the time frame.
Looking at our main character through this lens, it's clear how control-value manifests itself in his actions. At the start of the film, when he comes down to the town, he has a task, becoming integrated into the local village, that he views as highly valuable due to his past of isolation and his attribution of that experience and the emotions it caused as unfavorable. Those negative emotions motivated him to want to pursue this goal. Still, he did not think he had control over the people's acceptance of him due to not perceiving his social abilities favorably, leading to Edward experiencing anxiety and hopelessness. At this moment, he is anticipating a future outcome of continued isolation and rejection, which compounds his feelings further.
However, none of this kills his motivation. We know this because when presented with an opportunity to complete any task he feels is instrumental to his goal, and within his control, he jumps at it. This includes all of his business ventures and beautification projects. The locus of control being flipped to internal in relation to fulfilling his goal has the concurrent effect of converting his emotional state from hopeless to joyful. This then motivates him to expand upon what he had been doing that led to so much success, so he attempts to open up a salon. Afterward, events demonstrate to Edward that he, in fact, never had actual control over the achievement of his goal, and his emotional state and perception of control change once again. In the end, Edward never changed his values, which always pushed him forward.
Comments
Post a Comment