Motivation and Emotion

Theories of Motivation

Motivation =an internal state that activates behavior and directs it towards a goal Inferred through goal-directed behavior

Theories: Instinct Theory =innate tendencies that determine behavior without involving reason BUT- does not explain behavior- only labels it

Theories: Drive-Reduction Theory Need= biological or psychological requirement of an organism A need produces a drive= an state of internal tension that motivates an individual toward a goal If a behavior reduces a drive, the organism will begin to acquire a habit BUT- does not take take into account other esperiences that are not explained through deprivation

Theories: Incentive Theory An external stimulus, reinforcer, or reward that motivates behavior We like positive incentives, try to avoid negative incentives

Theories: Cognitive Theory Extrinsic motivation- engaging in activities that either reduce biological needs or help us obtain external incentives Internal motivation- engaging in activities because they are personally/internally rewarding or they fulfill our beliefs/expectations Overjustification effect Question #1: Which theory of motivation might best explain why you work (or do not work) to get good grades? Explain. Which type of motivation is the stronger one?

Biological and Social Motives

Biological Behavior works to correct imbalances and deviation from an organism’s normal state (homeostasis) Hunger- different parts of the hypothalamus will tell you to eat or to stop eating (lateral- LH and ventromedial- VMH) Hypothalamus affected by temperature, glucose entering the cells, set-point

Biological Psychosocial factors- external cues (smell, others, availability) Obesity- studies show it is often caused by external cues They eat not because they are hungry but because they see something good or their watches tell them it is time to eat Metabolism and exercise also affect weight

Social Need for achievement measured with TAT (Thematic Apperception Test) High need- display persistence on tasks, ability to perform better on tasks, set challenging but realistic goals, compete with others to win, attracted to challenging tasks or careers Many become entrepreneurs Not always interesting or artistically sensitive, less likely to value intimacy Will choose tasks of moderate difficulty to learn where to improve

Social Fear of failure- displayed when people choose easy tasks offering assured success or impossible tasks with no chance of success Keeps positive feelings but may prevent us from taking responsibility for actions Fear of success- men and women Idea of being successful in all but a few careers is odd and unlikely, therefore it is avoided Other theories Expectancy-value Competency

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Starting at the bottom of a “pyramid”, we satisfy our basic needs, then move up to the next level If we are at a higher level and our basic needs are not satisfied, we move back down Incorporates many factors- biological, psychological One need must be satisfied before moving on (may not be true)

Emotion

Emotion Motivation- needs that lead to goal-directed behavior Emotions- feelings associated with these decisions and activities Functions- like biological drives, anticipated emotions, make decisions and communicate what’s going on inside Emotional intelligence- ability to perceive, imagine, and understand emotions and to use that information in decision making

Emotion = a set of complex reactions to stimuli involving subjective feelings, physiological arousal, and observable behavior 3 parts- physical, behavioral, cognitive Basic facial expressions are innate and universally recognized Facial Action Coding System (FACS)- 46 separate movements We are taught appropriate emotions for societal standards

Physiological Theories Used in application to lie detection James-Lange- bodily reactions form the basis of labeling and experiencing emotions Smiling--> Feel happy Different emotions are not necessarily associated with specific reactions Cannon-Bard- simultaneous burst of activity in the brain and the gut reactions

Cognitive Theories Bodily changes and thinking work together to produce emotions Schachter-Singer- When you cannot interpret physical reactions- you take clues from environment May not first have physiological arousal before emotion Opponent-Process- sympathetic (energizes) and parasympathetic (relaxes) systems act together to regulate emotions; all classically conditioned Question: How do you think the Schachter-Singer theory could explain the way panic runs through a crowd?

EXTRA- Theories of Motivation A continuum is a scale on which a category of items falls. Create a continuum with inherited or physiological motives at one end and social motives that are learned on the other end. Make a list of common motives for actions you perform. Place each motive on the continuum. Examples: Hunger and thirst are purely physiological motives and are at one end of the continuum. Achievement is a purely social motive and would fall at the other end.

EXTRA- Theories of Motivation Consider how society and societal values affect the expression of competitiveness. Think about what motivates people to be competitive. Respond to the following in a 1 page paper. What are the motivations behind competition in sports? In other arenas? Why is competitiveness accepted in some arenas, like sports, but rejected in others, like being first in line at the grocery store? Is competition constructive or destructive? When does competition cross the line and become a socially unacceptable form of aggression?

EXTRA- Theories of Motivation Make charts listing common incentives for the following types of people: student, salesperson, college graduate, couple getting married, psychologist

EXTRA- Theories of Motivation When you are motivated, three things are true: you are energized to engage in an activity, you focus your energies toward reaching a goal, and you have differing intensities of feelings about achieving your goal. Use the criteria above to describe two activities or behaviors you engaged in today.

EXTRA- Theories of Motivation Event (food deprivation)--> drive (hunger) → action (eating) → result (drive reduction) Complete other examples of this chain to demonstrate the drive-reduction theory

EXTRA- Biological and Social Motives Create a TV commercial for a household product. Videotape your commercial. Establish roles for each member and make sure everyone is involved. The commercial should attempt to subtly persuade people that one or more of their needs will be satisfied if they buy the product. Which needs were the commercials directed toward? How successful were the commercials in promising to satisfy those needs?

EXTRA- Biological and Social Motives Research a political or historical figure of your choosing. Identify the motivations behind the individual’s success or rise to power or prominence. Write a short informative essay explaining the individual's motivations in terms of one or more of the theories of motivation discussed in this chapter. Share the results. Compare and contrast the motivations of the different individuals.

EXTRA- Biological and Social Motives List things that are important in your lives- either present-day concerns or future aspirations. Evaluate the items in terms of Maslow’s hierarchy and classify them by type of need.

EXTRA- Emotions Charles Darwin believed that emotions develop because they have survival value. What is the validity of this generalization? What are the survival values of emotions such as hate, anger, joy, love, fear, and empathy? If emotions are indeed linked to survival, do animals have emotions?

Extra- Emotions Lie detection continues to have its advocates and its detractors. Conduct research to determine to what extent the results of lie detector tests are admissible as evidence in courts of law. Based on the research, hold a debate on the following: Polygraphs should be admissible evidence in determining a defendant’s guilt or innocence.

EXTRA- Emotions With a partner, select 10 emotions to express. Play a variation of charades, with one person attempting to convey each of these emotions by facial expression alone. What emotions are harder to convey than others? Are there consistent differences in interpretation between individuals? How important do you think context (the social situation in which the facial expression occurs) is in perceiving other people’s emotions? Summarize your group interaction.