Motivation and Emotion Ch 13 notes

Questions????  1. Why did you sign up to take Psychology?  2. How does it feel when you do your best?  3. If we know we are going to feel good when we do our best; then why don ’ t we do our best all of the time? Or more often?  4. What is motivation?  5. Do you think that our motivation changes as we age?  6. Besides money, what motivates adults to go to work?

Terminology  Motive: stimulus that moves a person to behave in ways designed to accomplish a specific goal  Need: a condition in which we require something we lack –Both biological (inborn) and psychological (learned)  Drives: forces that motivate an organism to take action (food gives rise to the hunger drive)

Theories of Motivation (1) Instinct Theory  Behavior patterns that are genetically transmitted from generation to generation are instincts.  At one time psychologists believed that human behavior, like that of animals, is instinctive.  Today, most psychologists do not believe that human behavior is primarily motivated by instinct because it would need to be found throughout the species.

(2) Drive-Reduction Theory  People and animals experience a drive arising from a need to rid themselves from an unpleasant tension.  Some drives are caused by biological needs (hunger), some are learned (need for $)  Do what we can to maintain a state of equilibrium known as homeostasis.  Explains a lot but not all motivation. Some people eat when they are not hungry.

(3) Humanistic Theory  People are also motivated by the conscious desire for personal growth and artistic fulfillment. –Self-actualization refers to the need to become what one believes he or she is capable of being.  Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs –People rise naturally through the levels as long as they do not encounter overwhelming obstacles along the way. –Critics say it doesn’t apply to all

(4) Sociocultural Theory  Even if basic drives such as hunger are inborn, cultural experiences and factors influence the behavior that people use to satisfy those drives. –Foods people eat and the way they eat those foods are shaped by culture

Psychological Needs  Stimulus motives are desires for stimulation –Sensory stimulation – activity –exploration –manipulation of the environment

Sensory Deprivation  Is the Absence of stimulation  What happened to the people in the sensory deprivation experiment?  Students – small and dark room which could only hear a dull hum of air conditioner. 24hrs paid $  ( Felt bored and irritable, reported hallucinations, had trouble concentrating and readjusting to their environment after the experiment)  Proves the importance of sensory stimulation to humans.

Sensation Seekers  All people need seek sensory stimulation, but some need more than others.  Some people like being coach potatoes. Relaxing around the television.  Some people seek out active lifestyles. They are more happy when mountain biking, throwing a ball around, hiking or kayaking.

Exploration & Manipulation  New surroundings can be frightening, eventually we will explore this new territory to learn more about it. (like a cat)  Novel Stimulation- animals such as laboratory rats or chimpanzees look for new experiences and unfamiliar parts of mazes rather than the familiar to obtain goals. (Busy Boxes- infants)

Achievement Motivation  People who are driven to get ahead, tackle challenging situations, & meet high personal standards of success.  Will spend extra time on difficult test items until they find an answer or run out of time.  May strive to move ahead in their careers & set challenging goals for themselves.

Performance v. Learning Goals  Performance –Specific goals  Ex: gaining admission to a college, earning parent/teacher approval, even just avoiding criticism  Learning –Learning for the sake of learning  Can be very powerful

Extrinsic v. Intrinsic Rewards  Extrinsic –External rewards –Good grades –Good income –Most often how performance goals are rewarded  Intrinsic –Internal rewards –Self-satisfaction –Usually how learning goals are rewarded

Making Things Fit Cognitive Consistency  Many psychological needs are aimed at reducing stimulation or tension.  Cognitive consistency – people that seek to behave & think in ways that fit how they believe & how others expect them to behave & think.  Liberal person would not support a conservative candidate. (behave based on their beliefs)  They prefer that the pieces of their lives fit together. Seek out friends with similar values.

Balance Theory  People need to organize their perceptions, opinions, and beliefs in a harmonious manner  Maintain a cognitive balance by holding consistent views and by being with people who share their beliefs and values  Imbalance - When someone we care about disagrees with us.  We may try to persuade the person to change his/her attitude or we may change our feelings about that person.  Nonbalance – Careless about their opinion, because we could careless about them.

 Affiliation – desire to join others and be part of something larger than oneself  Why do people desire affiliation with others? –Humans are social beings and need to be with others –During adolescence, this need is VERY strong. –However, some people are so strongly motivated to affiliate that they find it painful to be by themselves.