Motivations of Life

Basic Definitions Motivation- an inferred process within a person or animal that causes movement either toward a goal or away from an unpleasant situation Intrinsic Motivation- the pursuit of an activity for its own sake Extrinsic Motivation- the pursuit of an activity for external rewards, such as money or fame

Motives to Eat I. Set Point Theory Set Point- the genetically influenced weight range for an individual; it s maintained by biological mechanisms that regulate food intake, fat reserves, and metabolism What does this theory predict? Is there evidence to support this theory? What is the obese gene? The Overweight Debate How serious is obesity in the US?

Motives to Eat II. Culture, Gender, and Weight Six Culprits of Weight Gain (pg 443). Culture of Consumption (pg 444) Gender and the Ideal Body (pg 445) Eating Disorders Bulimia- an eating disorder characterized by episodes of excessive eating (bingeing) followed by forced vomiting or use of laxatives (purging) Anorexia- an eating disorder characterized by fear of being fat, a distorted body image, radically reduced consumption of food, and emaciation.

Motives to Love I. What is the attachment theory of love? Attached vs Insecure (see pgs & 449) Insecure consists of two types  Anxious  Avoidant What is the distribution of these three types? Secure (64%) Avoidant (25%) Anxious (11%) What are the ingredients of love? ( see next slide ) Also note that both gender and culture influence they way one loves

Motives to Love II. Ingredients and Types of Love Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love Intimacy- feelings of warmth, support and sharing Passion- physical arousal and desire Commitment- decision to devote oneself to a relationship IntimacyPassionCommitment NonloveLow LikingHighLow InfatuationLowHighLow EmptyLow High RomanticHigh Low CompanionateHighLowHigh FatuousLowHigh ConsummateHigh

Motives for Sex The Biology of Desire I. Hormones and Sexual Response Testosterone is associated with sexual activity Sexual Activity is associated with testosterone Arousal and Orgasm Alfred Kinsey Pioneer of sexual research dispelling myths about women’s sexuality. Women and men are alike in their anatomy and sexuality. Women have a lesser sexual capacity due to biology

The Biology of Desire II Arousal and Orgasm (continued) Masters and Johnson Confirmed male and female similarities in biology Identified Four Phases of Human Sexual Response Cycle (see following slides  Excitement  Plateau  Orgasm  Resolution Women’s capacity for sexual response “infinitely surpassed that of men.  They overestimate women’s capacity while Kinsey underestimated Debates about biological differences continue today between biological and environmental psychologists

Evolution and Sex Sex is adaptive to the species survival Males compete for fertile young females to continue species. Females try to attach to dominate males with resources, status, and “superior” genes. Critique of Evolutionary View After the fact argument of a stereotype Women have sex even when they aren’t ovulating What people say and what they do differ Mate choice is often just proximity and similarity

The Psychology of Desire Brain as a sex organ (see next slide) Perception Many Motives for Sex Enhancement (emotional satisfaction and pleasure) Intimacy (emotional closeness with the partner) Coping (dealing with negative emotions) Self-affirmation (reassurance) Partner Approval (desire to please or appease) Peer Approval (with to impress friends Extrinsic motives are more associated with high risk sexual behavior 50% women and 26% men reported consenting to unwanted sex (O’Sullivan & Allgeier, 1998) Peer pressure, fear of rejection, etc..

Sexual Coercion and Rape Laumann et. al., 1994 Study 25% women reported that a man- usually a husband or boyfriend- had forced them to do something sexually that they did not want to. 3% of men reported they had ever forced a women into a sexual act. Obviously what many women regard as coercion is not always seen as coercive by men How do you explain these findings? What motivates individuals to rape? Peer approval, anger or desire to dominate, personality traits, sadistic pleasure, etc…

The Culture of Desire Culture Influences are Sexual Desire Kissing Body Parts as Erotic Joyful or Dirty How does your culture influence our desire? Sexual Scripts Gender Roles- rules that determine proper attitudes and behavior for men and women Sexual Scripts are sets of implicit rules that specify proper sexual behavior for a person in a given situation, varying with the person’s age, culture, and gender. What are the sexual scripts of your culture?

Sexual Dysfunction Definition- Impairment either in the desire for sexual gratification or in the ability to achieve it. Four Phases of Human Sexual Response Desire Excitement Orgasm Resolution

Sexual Dysfunction: Prevalence Altogether 45% of men and 55% of women reported some dysfunction during the last year. Women 33% report lack of sexual interest 24% report inability to experience orgasm Men 29% reported climaxing to early 17% reported sexual anxiety 16% reported lack of sexual interest

Motives to Achieve Three Important Characteristics of Goals Specific Challenging but Achievable Getting Rather than Avoiding How does self-efficacy and self-fulfilling prophecy relate to achievement?

Motives to Achieve II. How do work conditions effect motivation? Consider how Contextual Factors and Personality Factors work together to improve work motivation and satisfaction (see pg 472)

Motives, Values, and Well Being What are the three motivational conflicts Approach-Approach Conflicts Avoidance-Avoidance Conflicts Approach-Avoidance Conflicts