In Pursuit of Transition: Some Aspects of the Role of Passion and Motivation in the Transition Movement

Abstract

This paper explores participation in the Transition Movement, a collection of grassroots community Initiatives seeking to build more resilient and self-reliant communities in response to resource descent and climate change. It examines this movement through the lens of the notion of passion and the Reasonable Person Model (RPM), using the following questions to guide the research and analysis process:

• Is passion a strong motivator for active participation and continued involvement in the Transition Movement? • What are the implications of Harmonious vs. Obsessive Passion, as defined by the Dualistic Model of Passion (Vallerand, 2003)? • Is it possible that once involved, members find that they derive satisfaction, motivation and fulfilment from Transition Initiatives that provide a structure in which they can Build Models, Be Effective in their approach, and create Meaningful Action, prompting continued engagement in the Initiative and larger movement?

The findings in this report are based on 96 completed survey responses representing members of current Transition Initiatives across the US, and 14 subsequent phone interviews.

The survey results show a statistically significant connection between Obsessive Passion (but not Harmonious Passion) and active participation in Transition Initiatives. However, this study’s results also show that an individual’s level or type of passion is not necessarily the most important contributor to continued motivation and participation in the Transition Movement. The results suggest intrinsic motivation for a high quality of life is the strongest predictor of high participation levels in this sample. This finding, supported by the interview responses, indicates that the Reasonable Person Model (S. Kaplan & R. Kaplan 2009) may be a strong contributor to successful Transition Initiatives in which people are energized and motivated to continue as an active participant.

Furthermore, interview findings indicate that there is no single type of person nor a single motivating factor that draws people to the Transition Movement. In fact, there may be an advantage to having a balance of interests and personality types within an Initiative to encourage diversity of ideas and active working groups. This research suggests that Transition Initiatives would benefit from intentionally integrating the three components of the Reasonable Person Model (Building Models, Being Effective, and Meaningful Action) in the way they structure meetings, projects, and events.

Finally, while passion is not the primary driver of participation in existing Transition Initiatives, there is an opportunity to recognize and build on the passion of members who strongly identify with certain causes and activities, or the movement in general. Individual passion for different activities or topic areas among members can lead to the creation of new working groups, more diversity of ideas and projects, and encourage people to spend more time engaged with the Transition Initiative through those projects. Thus, Transition Initiatives can benefit from identifying members’ passions, and encouraging them to engage with those passions within the construct of the Transition Movement.