Theories of Motivation

Critical Thinking In 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. Biological Emotional Cognitive Social

Theories: Biology or Environment Many 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. nature SOME THEORIES EMPHASIZE NATURE WHILE OTHERS EMPHASIZE NURTURE -what are we talking about when we say nature vs. nurture? In fact it’s never really either or. the theory that emphasizes nature over the other factors is called instinct theory. nurture

Instinct Theory Motivation is the result of biological, genetic programming. Survival is at the of this perspective: actions = instincts. EXAMPLE: Human mothers, unlike many other species, will stay awake with a crying baby all night long trying to provide comfort. Why? Instinct Theory suggests that mothers are programmed to behave in this manner- it is not due to learning or conditioning, not to being raised properly or poorly, not to having strong female role models or weak role models, or anything else, other than pure biology. This perspective is very much the sort that was offered in the controversial article that stated, Parents don’t matter much in the development of their children.

Instincts as Behavior Patterns- McDougal Unlearned Uniform in expression and Universal Example: Nests and Webs – McDougal claims that humans are more or less the same as other animals in terms of instinctive jealousy, mating drives, & other instincts Birds (even those raised in captivity and in isolation) will be able to instinctually build nests identical to other members of its’ species. Another area that uses the instinct language is around mating behavior self help books – monogamy/non-monogamy and gender but it’s much more complicated than that

Problems with instinct theories There is no agreed-upon list of instincts; Not universal. Examples: Jealousy, sex drive, and aggression vary Social behaviors complicate understanding of biological influences. Instinct theory better explain animal behavior. 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). Is dating the result of biological mating instinct or social motivation? More complex than one or the other Differences between individuals in basic drives – aggression and sex for example WWFS?

Drive Theories Drive: 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 state Example: When body temperature wavers, there are autonomic responses to adjust. Hunger leads to physical discomfort (internal tension-drive), which leads to the motivation to get food, which leads to eating, which leads to a reduction in physical tension (drive reduction), which finally leads to the restoration of equilibrium. As your textbook mentions, hunger states are not only the product of physical influences from the body, but also mental processes – even memory of the previous meal may influence how full you feel. 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. How does “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? Our tendency to spend time and effort on things other than survival activities is driven in much the same way as our activities around more basic survival activities - sports, artistic work, social interaction, Example: how does a “thirst for knowledge” fit into this model?

Arousal Theory Explains behaviors that don’t obviously decrease drives. Examples: thrill seeking, curiosity, “because it’s there.” General Level of Activation: People are motivated to maintain their optimum level of arousal. Yerkes-Dodson Law: In general: Performance is best with MODERATE arousal. Arousal theory says that increased levels of arousal will improve performance, but only up until the optimum arousal level is reached. At that point, performance begins to suffer. Most students have experienced this phenomenon when taking final exams. Increased arousal can lead to better test performance by helping you stay alert, focused, and attentive, but too much arousal can lead to test anxiety and leave you nervous and unable to concentrate on the test. 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 Needs Systematic arrangement of needs according to priority 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. Which perspective do we associate Maslow with? Systematic arrangement of needs according to priority, from survival to personal fulfillment -assumes that basic needs must be met before less basic needs are aroused.

This humanistic perspective is a blend of biological and social needs and is a more general overview of human motivation. Because Maslow believed that all needs vary in strength, he arranged them in a pyramidal form to indicate which have more strength. The most basic needs are vital to daily survival, and are at the bottom, while needs that are less important to staying alive (psychological) are higher on the pyramid. This has since been revised to reflect that some upper level needs may be met while the more basic ones may not be (Katrina example)

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 Elements of stress or tension between motives: Kurt Lewin, social psychology Approach-Approach: 2 good choices (Yale or Harvard) Avoidance-Avoidance: 2 bad choices (do your laundry or take out the garbage) causes much stress Approach-Avoidance: A good choice with bad consequences (you want to go to a sold out concert, but the only one with extra tickets is someone you hate) Takes a long time to decide. 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. High achievement motivations can be extrinsic or intrinsic

Incentive Theory DRIVES Incentive: 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 or Repels your behavior. Can be + or - When you attend this class, it is not because you were biologically programmed to become a student, but rather, because there is something external that is rewarding to you. Is it the grade ? Is it because your parents suggested taking the class? Is it the drive to benefit from it later in life? Regardless , the idea is that the motivation is something external, not internal. DRIVES INCENTIVES

The Hunger Mechanism

Hunger Motivation The 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 Sometimes the natural, physical needs that motivate hunger can be disrupted

On Monday, we will have a special guest speaker from the Emily Program who will talk about eating disorders more specifically It’s just food, right? Well, yes and no. for many people it IS just food – and for an increasing number of people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds – eating and food/ hunger and motivation have become disordered. This disruption of the relationship with food is influenced a lot by media images of the body – both male and female. So, healthy body image is an increasingly difficult thing for us to maintain. on Monday Emily will visit the class and talk to you a little more about this