Theories of Motivation

Critical ThinkingIn a paragraph or 2, identify some

factors, traits, or offer some explanations that help explain why some people are less motivated than others.

When writing your response think about the 4 sources of motivation.

BiologicalEmotionalCognitiveSocial

Theories: Biology or EnvironmentMany theories are similar, but they vary in the

amount of emphasis that each places upon either biological or environmental influences on motivation.

One theory strongly emphasizes nature as a main motivational influence.

natu

renurture

Instinct Theory Motivation is the result of biological, genetic programming. All beings within the same species are programmed for the

same motivations. Survival is at the heart of this perspective, so actions =

instincts.EXAMPLE: Human mothers, unlike many other species, will

stay awake with a crying baby all night long trying to provide comfort. Why?

Instincts as Behavior PatternsWilliam McDougal defined instincts as behavior patterns that

are:UnlearnedUniform in expression and Universal

Example: Birds & nests – individual animals build nearly identical nests, even when raised in captivity and isolation.

McDougal claims that humans are more or less the same as other animals in terms of instinctive jealousy, mating drives, & other instincts

Problems with instinct theories There is no agreed-upon list of instincts.

Many instincts are not universal. Examples: Jealousy, sex drive, and aggression depend upon variations in character among individuals.

Current Instinct Theories have a more biological emphasis for specific motivations, and not all apply equally. Example: variations in levels of aggression from individual to individual.

Social behaviors complicate and obscure our understanding of biological influences.

Instinct perspective on motivation is still widely accepted in the study of animal behavior (ethology).

Drive TheoriesDrive: an internal state of tension that motivates an

organism to engage in activities that are focused on reducing this tension

Homeostasis: an organism’s tendency to maintain a steady internal stateExample: When body temperature wavers, there are

autonomic responses to adjust.

When you experience a drive, you are motivated to pursue actions that will lead to drive reduction. Example: When experiencing hunger, you will most likely be motivated to try to find food to eat until you are no longer hungry.

hunger satiety

Problems With Drive Reduction Theories Homeostasis seems irrelevant to some human

motives. Example: how does a “thirst for knowledge” fit into this model?

Motivation may exist with or without a drive arousal. Example: Do we eat only when we are hungry?

Arousal TheoryExplains behaviors that don’t obviously decrease drives.

Examples: thrill seeking, curiosity, learning – “because it’s there.”

General Level of Activation: People are motivated to maintain their optimum level of arousal.Yerkes-Dodson Law: individuals have varying levels of

“optimum” arousal levels, and performance will improve only up to that optimum level. Past that, performance begins to decline. Example: taking tests – a little stress about the test makes you study and keeps you alert, but too much stress creates test anxiety.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsSystematic arrangement of needs according to

priority, from survival to personal fulfillment -assumes that basic needs must be met before less basic needs are aroused.

According to Maslow, we must meet one need before we move on to the next. In practice – it does not always work in that way. He is one of the founders of Humanist Psychology.

How do we solve conflicts between motives?

Approach-Approach: 2 good choices

Avoidance-Avoidance: 2 bad choices

Approach-Avoidance: A good choice with bad consequences

OR

OR

AND

Achievement Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation: desire to work for external rewards (money, fame, power, praise)

Intrinsic Motivation: Work for internal satisfaction of a job well done

People with high achievement motivation seek to master tasks, strive for excellence, take pride in their work.

Incentive TheoryIncentive: an external goal that has the potential

to motivate behavior.

While Drive Theory describes an internal state PUSHING you in a specific direction, Incentive Theory describes how an external stimulus PULLS you in a certain direction.

DRIVES

INCENTIVES

The Hunger Mechanism

Hunger MotivationHunger MotivationThe multiple-systems approach to hunger• Set point – Refers to the

tendency of the body to maintain a certain level of body fat and body weight

• Appetite is influenced by the lateral hypothalamus & ventromedial hypothalamus parts of the brain

• Eating disorders are a disruption to this normal system

• Weight control is a complex issue involving multiple systems and the brain, along with social/cultural influences

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94c43AlwLKo&feature=related

On Monday, we will have a special guest speaker from the Emily Program who will talk about eating disorders more specifically