Book
Pink DH. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. New York: Riverhead Books; 2009. 272 p.
Why we cite it
Popularizes four decades of behavioral science research (primarily Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory) into an accessible framework for understanding motivation. Relevant to dietary behavior change because it explains why extrinsic approaches (reward charts, punishment-based diets) often fail for complex behavior like sustained eating changes, while intrinsic drives — autonomy over food choices, the pursuit of mastery in cooking or nutrition knowledge, and connection to personal purpose — support lasting change.
About the author
Daniel H. Pink holds a BA in Linguistics from Northwestern University (Truman Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa) and a JD from Yale Law School. He is the author of seven bestselling nonfiction books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell Is Human, as well as A Whole New Mind, When, and The Power of Regret. He served as chief speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore (1995-1997). Drive spent 159 weeks on the NYT bestseller lists and has been translated into 43 languages. He is not a scientist — he is a writer who synthesizes behavioral science research for general audiences.
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