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Motivational Structure of Information Activity

Motivational Structure of Information Activity Test

Understand what drives your daily information habits and media choices in about 7 minutes. Get clear motivation insights to sharpen communication, messaging, and audience fit.

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Questions: 87 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

16065 views

2011 completions

1774 likes

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

16/40

Compensatory (C)

Measures the extent to which a person uses media to compensate for missing experiences or to escape monotonous reality by simulating desired states.

Low

Moderate

High

8 – 16: Low | 17 – 32: Moderate | 33 – 40: High

A score of 16 indicates low compensatory motivation, meaning media is used relatively little as an escape or substitute for missing experiences.

example score

35/40

Reactivating (R)

Measures the extent to which a person uses media to boost energy, mood, and readiness for action through motivational stimulation.

Low

Moderate

High

8 – 24: Low | 25 – 32: Moderate | 33 – 40: High

A score of 35 falls in the High range, suggesting media is frequently used as a prompt for activation, emotional uplift, and increased tone, with goals typically oriented beyond the media environment.

example score

16/40

Relaxation (R)

Measures the extent to which a person uses media primarily to relax and relieve stress through low-effort, positive content.

Low

Moderate

High

8 – 16: Low | 17 – 32: Moderate | 33 – 40: High

A score of 16 indicates low reliance on media for relaxation, suggesting it is not a primary driver of information activity.

example score

24/40

Communicative Motivation (CM)

Measures the extent to which a person uses media information primarily to sustain interpersonal and group communication, focusing on sources and communicators over content.

Low

Moderate

High

8 – 16: Low | 17 – 32: Moderate | 33 – 40: High

A score of 24 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting media use is often shaped by staying connected with people and communities, while content is a secondary focus.

example score

27/40

Cognitive (C)

Measures cognitive motivation to use media for learning, novelty, and practical knowledge gain.

Low

Moderate

High

8 – 16: Low | 17 – 24: Moderate | 25 – 40: High

A score of 27 falls in the High range, suggesting you often engage with information to expand knowledge and find useful, actionable insights.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Curious news explorers

41%OF USERS

People who constantly read, watch, and compare information to satisfy curiosity and make sense of what’s happening.

Communication and marketing pros

34%OF USERS

Specialists who need to understand what motivates different audiences so they can choose the right message style and channels.

Psychology and coaching practitioners

25%OF USERS

Professionals who use motivation insights to discuss habits, attention, and decision-making in everyday information consumption.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

Compensatory (C)

Average

16.8

Normal range

10.9 — 22.7

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Reactivating (R)

Average

Normal range

24.5 — 33.5

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Relaxation (R)

Average

28.5

Normal range

22.7 — 34.3

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Communicative (C)

Average

28.7

Normal range

24 — 33.5

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Informative (I)

Average

23.7

Normal range

19 — 28.4

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this test measure?

It assesses the main motives that guide how a person selects information sources and consumes media. Results indicate one or more dominant drivers of information-seeking behavior.

Who is this test intended for?

It is intended for adults and older adolescents who regularly engage with news, social media, or other information channels. It may be used in personal reflection, research, or applied communication settings.

How long does it take and how many questions are included?

It takes about 7 minutes to complete. It contains 8 questions.

How should responses be selected?

Choose the option that best matches typical behavior rather than an ideal or planned response. Use the first response that seems accurate and proceed without spending long on any item.

How should results be interpreted?

Scores summarize motivational patterns and are not a diagnosis or a measure of intelligence or mental health. Results should be considered alongside context, such as current stress, role demands, and media environment.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Motivational structure of informational activity, MSIA Test

Motivational Structure of Information Activity Test

cyberpsychology motivation

This self-report measure assesses motivational factors that may shape how an individual seeks, selects, and engages with information in everyday contexts. The Motivational Structure of Information Activity is intended to support a brief appraisal of predominant reasons for information engagement, such as curiosity, reassurance/control seeking, or entertainment, based on the respondent’s pattern of endorsements.

It consists of 8 items and typically requires about 7 minutes to complete. Scoring is used to summarize relative motivational tendencies and can inform case formulation or communication planning when interpreted alongside collateral data and relevant clinical context. The Motivational Structure of Information Activity is attributed to Edward L. Deci, Richard M. Ryan, and John W. Atkinson.

Author: Edward L. Deci, John W. Atkinson, Richard M. Ryan

Literature: Bandura, A. Social cognitive theory of mass communication. Media Psychology. 2001.

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