Motivation often changes when others seem motivated
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 11, 2026, 88% of Americans said their own level of motivation changes at least a small amount depending on whether they think the people around them are motivated.
About a third said their motivation changes moderately or more depending on others (37%), with 19% who said moderately, 13% who said quite a bit, and 5% who said a great deal. Another 41% said it changes somewhat (25%) or a little (16%), and 12% said very little. Just 12% said it does not change at all.
Topline scale
88% of Americans say their motivation responds at least a small amount to the people around them.
How much does your own level of motivation change depending on whether you think the people around you are motivated?
n = 1,000 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 11, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | identity |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26
How much does your own level of motivation change depending on whether you think the people around you are motivated?
Cite this question
Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.