Self-regulation as meta-conation?

Some years ago I was asked to discuss the fundamental problems I thought were then limiting the development of adequate theories of aptitude for learning (Snow, 1980).At the time, most of the research in this direction was based on fairly static, cognitive information processing models of intelligence.One of the problems I noted was the need to include "conation," traditionally defined as I, . . .that aspect of mental process or behavior by which it tends to develop into something else; an intrinsic 'unrest'. . . the opposite of homeostasis...a conscious tendency to act; a conscious striving. . .impulse, desire, volition, purposive striving, all emphasize the conative aspect (English & English, 1958, p.104)"