Final answer:
Dr. Schmidt studies motivational factors, which refer to the internal and external wants or needs that direct behavior toward achieving personal goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Schmidt studies factors that activate and direct behavior toward an individual's goals called motivational factors. Motivation describes the wants or needs that direct behavior toward a goal. In psychology, a variety of theories have tried to explain motivation, such as biological theories, Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and Bandura's concept of self-efficacy. For instance, intrinsically motivated behaviors are performed because of the sense of personal satisfaction they bring, while extrinsically motivated behaviors are performed to receive something from others.
In the field of social psychology, situational factors are emphasized as influencing behavior, demonstrating that motivational factors can be both internal and external. Additionally, the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory of emotion highlights how physiological arousal, in combination with cognitive processes, contributes to emotional experiences that can guide motivational states.