Motivation Psychology 1107

Introduction A need or desire that seems to energize behaviour A need or desire that seems to energize behaviour The notion of ‘instinct’ is popular The notion of ‘instinct’ is popular Fixed unlearned pattern Fixed unlearned pattern Suck reflex for example Suck reflex for example Today it is more common to speak of drives and incentives Today it is more common to speak of drives and incentives

Drives and incentives Centerpiece of drive reduction theory Centerpiece of drive reduction theory Physiological need creates an aroused psychological state Physiological need creates an aroused psychological state Homeostasis is the key Homeostasis is the key Sort of like a thermometer Sort of like a thermometer

Maslow Maslow said we have a hierarchy of needs Maslow said we have a hierarchy of needs Physiological Physiological Safety Safety Belongingness Belongingness Esteem Esteem Self-actualization Self-actualization So why do people go on hunger strikes? So why do people go on hunger strikes? May not be quite so hierarchical May not be quite so hierarchical

Hunger Stomach contractions make you ‘feel hungry’ Stomach contractions make you ‘feel hungry’ Hmm, but people and animals without a stomach still feel hungry! Hmm, but people and animals without a stomach still feel hungry! You can get specific hungers You can get specific hungers Sweet Sweet Carbs Carbs Sodium Sodium potassium potassium

Hunger In general, your brain monitors your body chemistry In general, your brain monitors your body chemistry Activity in lateral hypothalamus brings on hunger Activity in lateral hypothalamus brings on hunger Ventromedial stop eating Ventromedial stop eating Info sent from hypothalamus to other brain regions, from hypothalamus to brain areas Info sent from hypothalamus to other brain regions, from hypothalamus to brain areas Sweet and fat foods taste good for a reason, but, there are also cultural effects Sweet and fat foods taste good for a reason, but, there are also cultural effects

Eating disorders Anorexia Anorexia Bulimia Bulimia Bulimics are more likely to come from families of alcoholics, obese families or depressed families Bulimics are more likely to come from families of alcoholics, obese families or depressed families Anorexics are more likely to be high achievers Anorexics are more likely to be high achievers Genetic factors Genetic factors NOT childhood sexual abuse NOT childhood sexual abuse Cultural effects Cultural effects

Sexual motivation Scientific study of sex was for the most part nonexistent until 1948 Scientific study of sex was for the most part nonexistent until 1948 Kinsey and Pommeroy Kinsey and Pommeroy Major findings Major findings Premarital sex Premarital sex Masturbation Masturbation Homosexuality Homosexuality Prostitutes Prostitutes variety variety

The Kinsey report Somewhat odd interviewing techniques Somewhat odd interviewing techniques Lousy sample Lousy sample Got in trouble with the volume about females (everyone ‘knew’ men thought about sex, but not women!!) Got in trouble with the volume about females (everyone ‘knew’ men thought about sex, but not women!!)

Sex While Kinsey’s methods were suspect, they were WAY better than the junk in Magazines and the Hite report While Kinsey’s methods were suspect, they were WAY better than the junk in Magazines and the Hite report Some interesting tidbits from recent (good) surveys Some interesting tidbits from recent (good) surveys 91% of people are faithful to their partner 91% of people are faithful to their partner 98% have been faithful in the last year! 98% have been faithful in the last year!

Physiology of sex And you thought Kinsey was controversial… And you thought Kinsey was controversial… Masters and Johnson (1966) Masters and Johnson (1966) They um err umm, watched people.. They um err umm, watched people.. Sexual response cycle Sexual response cycle Excitement Excitement Plateau Plateau Orgasm Orgasm Resolution Resolution Refractory Refractory

Hormonal effects Women have somewhat ‘more’ sex drive during ovulation Women have somewhat ‘more’ sex drive during ovulation Correlated with estrogen Correlated with estrogen Men have much less cycling Men have much less cycling However, testosterone leads to arousal leads to testosterone. However, testosterone leads to arousal leads to testosterone.

Psychology Unlike say hunger or thirst there is no ‘need’ per se Unlike say hunger or thirst there is no ‘need’ per se External stimuli are important External stimuli are important Both males and females react most to depictions of an explicit nature Both males and females react most to depictions of an explicit nature Hmm, does it lead to impossible expectations? Hmm, does it lead to impossible expectations? Imagined stimuli important too Imagined stimuli important too Dreams Dreams fantasies fantasies

Orientation 3-4% of males, about 1 % of females are homosexual exclusively 3-4% of males, about 1 % of females are homosexual exclusively You do NOT choose to be gay or straight You do NOT choose to be gay or straight Probably determined in vivo Probably determined in vivo Brain organization Brain organization Genetic factors Genetic factors

Achievement Ok, so we’ve eaten, had sex, what’s next? Ok, so we’ve eaten, had sex, what’s next? Refer back to Maslow Refer back to Maslow People with a high need to achieve tend to achieve more People with a high need to achieve tend to achieve more Have reasonable and reachable goals Have reasonable and reachable goals High achievement motivation often linked to parental behaviour High achievement motivation often linked to parental behaviour

Achievement Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation How do we motivate? How do we motivate? Cultivate intrinsic motivation Cultivate intrinsic motivation Keep ‘em curious Keep ‘em curious Avoid heavy reliance on extrinsic motivation Avoid heavy reliance on extrinsic motivation Informing is better than controlling Informing is better than controlling Attend to motives Attend to motives Reasonable challenging goals Reasonable challenging goals