Journal profile · Multiple
Learning and Motivation
ISSN 0023-9690 · eISSN 1095-9122 · Elsevier
Learning and Motivation: CAS Zone 4 · Psychology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 4.41; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,360; review about 81 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); 123 articles in 2025; indexed in SSCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Learning and Motivation is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 4 of Psychology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Memory and Neural Mechanisms, Behavioral and Psychological Studies and Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, together about 36.8% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Learning and Motivation publishes research that advances fundamental understanding of learning, cognition, and motivation in humans and animals. The journal prioritizes studies offering clear empirical and/or theoretical contributions, characterized by methodological rigor, conceptual innovation, and relevance to both the scientific community and broader society.We welcome manuscripts addressing topics such as associative and non-associative learning, applied behavior analysis, relational frame theory, self-determination theory, cognitive and motivational mechanisms, comparative and evolutionary approaches, neural and biological underpinnings, and the roles of emotion and affect in learning and motivation.Both basic and applied research are welcome, provided that applied studies, in areas such as clinical and educational settings, advance theoretical understanding and offer substantive theoretical or empirical insights into learning and/or motivation, beyond the description of phenomena or evaluation of interventions. Interdisciplinary work drawing on neuroscience, computational modeling, developmental, or evolutionary frameworks is encouraged when it enhances understanding of learning and motivation.The journal publishes a range of article types, including integrated series of experiments, original empirical reports, theoretical and review papers, short reports, and commentaries. Experimental studies may employ group-based or well-controlled single-case designs, while reviews may include meta-analytic syntheses. Qualitative work is considered, typically within a mixed-methods framework.Learning and Motivation does not consider purely methodological papers, clinical case studies, or work focused solely on educational or organizational interventions. Descriptive or correlational studies are generally outside the journal’s scope, unless they yield substantial theoretical insight.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Multiple
Editorial board by country: 1 in mainland China (about 5%); most named United States 9, United Kingdom 4, Canada 3, Mexico 2, Mainland China 1 (20 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Memory and Neural MechanismsNeuroscience17%
- Behavioral and Psychological StudiesPsychology13.4%
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeuroscience6.4%
- Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesNeuroscience5.6%
- Stress Responses and CortisolNeuroscience5.5%
- Animal Behavior and Welfare StudiesVeterinary5.2%
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorPsychology4.6%
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeuroscience4.4%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Psychology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Psychology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Psychology, Biological | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Psychology, Experimental | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Psychology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Psychology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Psychology, Biological | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Psychology, Experimental | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Psychology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Psychology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Psychology, Biological | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Psychology, Experimental | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SSCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 4.41LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 4.4Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 5.7LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 5.7Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.91LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.34LetPub ·
- h-index
- 96OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 1,048OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 8.53OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 11.4%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 15.15%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 116LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 2,069 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 97 | 34 | 25 |
| 2025 | 123 | 20 | 1,226 |
| 2024 | 103 | 23 | 1,505 |
| 2023 | 55 | 10 | 400 |
| 2022 | 59 | 15 | 833 |
| 2021 | 46 | 11 | 482 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
81 dayssubmission to acceptance
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Submission to first decision
- 1 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 40 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 81 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 7 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,360 / EUR 3,140 / GBP 2,690 / JPY 416,740 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,160 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare1 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability
Data statement Model summary
To foster transparency, you are encouraged to state the availability of any data at submission.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Publishing ethics policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Appeal policy Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- ISSN
- 0023-9690
- Electronic ISSN
- 1095-9122
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Learning and Motivation
What CAS zone is Learning and Motivation in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Learning and Motivation is in Zone 4 of Psychology, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Psychology, Biological / Psychology, Experimental. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Psychology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Learning and Motivation?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 4.41; CiteScore 5.7, h-index 96.
How long does peer review take at Learning and Motivation?
The publisher reports about 81 days (submission to acceptance). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
Where are the editorial board members of Learning and Motivation based?
Of the 20 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 1 (about 5%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (9), United Kingdom (4) and Canada (3). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Learning and Motivation?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Learning and Motivation is indexed in SSCI and Scopus.
Is Learning and Motivation open access, and what is the APC?
Learning and Motivation is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,360.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .