1. LEARNING GOAL 8.3: APPLY THEORIES OF MOTIVATION TO ANALYZE CHOICES AND BEHAVIOR AND EVALUATE THE THEORIES’ EXPLANATORY POWER. Theories of Motivation

2. Biological Theory: Instinct Instinct: an inherited behavior that is common throughout a species Original theory (1890’s) included “mental instincts” like jealousy, curiosity, and cleanliness… people kept adding more to explain more behaviors, until there were over 10,000 by the 1920’s Largely dismissed because the theory wasn’t robust enough… we kept having to invent new instincts to justify every behavior

3. Biological Theory: Drive-Reduction Theory A need (physiological, emotional, or social) creates a drive, which then motivates us to do things that reduce that drive Example: a need for food creates a hunger drive, which motivates the drive-reducing behavior of eating Allows us to maintain homeostasis: the body’s constant, balanced internal state Still couldn’t explain many behaviors, like bungee jumping or artistic hobbies

4. Biological Theory: Arousal Theory We each have an optimal level of stimulation we like to maintain to achieve peak performance (like how we all perform best under different amounts of stress) Arousal theory states that we’re motivated to behave in ways that maintain this optimal arousal level

5. Cognitive Theory: Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Extrinsic motivation: the desire to perform a behavior because of external rewards or punishments  Example: studying in order to get an A, to get into college, or to avoid the wrath of your parents Intrinsic motivation: the desire to perform a behavior for its own sake  Example: studying because you’re interested in the subject

6. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation Extrinsic rewards can increase participation and efficiency, but… Studies show that intrinsic motivation yields higher performance and is more sustainable Introducing extrinsic rewards can decrease intrinsic interest in the behavior; when the reward is removed, the behavior seems even less appealing (overjustification effect!)

7. Clinical Theory: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow, 1970 States that we must satisfy physiological needs before we can be motivated by safety, and must satisfy safety needs before we can be motivated by psychological needs Study criticized for small size, subject selection, vague terms What about hunger strikes?

8. Clinical Theory: Achievement Motivation States that we are motivated by inherent desire for…  significant accomplishments,  mastery of ideas/things/people, or  attaining a high standard Developed by Murray in 1938 and measured through story-telling – looked for achievement themes in their stories High achievement motivation correlates with high persistence