Students may appear unmotivated to do what parents and teachers ask of them. Often, students’
lack of motivation is associated with particular activities, like reading, or tasks, like finishing
homework. Think of a particular activity or task that the student regularly avoids, partially
completes, or executes carelessly. He may avoid the activity or task by throwing a temper
tantrum. Or he may do what is asked of him with minimal effort, achieving far less than he is
capable of achieving. He may, for example, hand in a poorly written report although he has
superior writing skills