PSYCHOLOGY Chapter 6 Motivation

 Motivation  a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior  Instinct  complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned

Ethology z1. Charles Darwin: theory of evolution z*all species of animals are related zBehaviors can be distinguished or compared z*humans are members of complex species, rather than different from animals zSpecies-specific behavior

Freud z #1 motivator is SEX zAll humans have two sets of instincts z1. Eros: life z2. Thanatos: death zBoth are unconscious drives that motivate us

Motivation  Drive-Reduction Theory  the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need Drive-reducing behaviors (eating, drinking) Need (e.g., for food, water) Drive (hunger, thirst)

Motivation  Homeostasis  tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state  regulation of any aspect of body chemistry around a particular level  Incentive  a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior

Motivation-Hunger  Stomach contractions accompany our feelings of hunger

Motivation-Hunger  Glucose  the form of sugar that circulates in the blood  provides the major source of energy for body tissues  when its level is low, we feel hunger

Motivation-Hunger  Set Point  the point at which an individual’s “weight thermostat” is supposedly set  when the body falls below this weight, an increase in hunger and a lowered metabolic rate may act to restore the lost weight  Basal Metabolic Rate  body’s base rate of energy expenditure

Motivation-Hunger  The hypothalamus controls eating and other body maintenance functions

Motivation-Hunger

Women’s Body Images

Eating Disorders  Anorexia Nervosa  when a normal-weight person diets and becomes significantly (>15%) underweight, yet, still feeling fat, continues to starve  usually an adolescent female  Bulimia Nervosa  disorder characterized by episodes of overeating, usually of high-calorie foods, followed by vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise

Motivation at Work  Structured Interview  process that asks the same job- relevant questions of all applicants  rated on established scales  Achievement Motivation  a desire for significant accomplishment  for mastery of things, people, or ideas  for attaining a high standard

Measuring Achievement zDavid McClelland: 1953 quantitative way to measure social motivation zTAT: Thematic Apperception Test, series of picture prompts, no right or wrong answers, looks at the takers on motives, beliefs and morals High score- story contained achievement and unique accomplishments zNot everyone is high achiever: they want to be only around experts who will help them, not socially correct or value intimacy with others

Fear of Success zMatina Horner (1970, 1972) zAchievement in females z89 men and 90 women… asked After first term finals, John finds himself at the top of his Medical class. Then substituted John for Ann. 90% wrote success stories, 65% women wrote doom zMost women are motivated to avoid success in mostly male occupations zVery hard to define success later studies find

Other theories zJW Atkinson-expectancy-value : estimated likely hood of success and what is it worth to you zCompetency theory: learn from harder tasks rather than easier ones. (McClelland)

Motivation Internal Sources Biological Needs Drive Social Motives External Sources Incentives