Motivation

Motivation: What does it do for us?

Connects our observable behavior to internal states Accounts for variations in behavior Creates perseverance in the face of adversity

Motivation

Motive: Needs, wants, desires, interests that involve ______________________

They can be biological, social, etc. Consider running….Biological? Learned?

Cognitive? Social?

STIMULUS MOTIVE BEHAVIOR

So what motivates us? …. Instincts? (old idea)…. Drives? (newer idea)…. Incentives? (rewards)

Motivation

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic: Desire to performbehavior because

of promise of reward or threat of punishment

Intrinsic: Desire to perform behavior for its own sake,

for “internal” reward

Examples?

Motivation

Extrinsic /Intrinsic: Which is better?

Intrinsic generally has the edge

Extrinsic still valuable, & the two often work together

• Problems with extrinsic motivation:

• Behaviors maintained by extrinsic alone may not last once motivation is gone• Will a student’s grades go down if parents stop giving them money for earning As & Bs?• Evidence suggests removal of extrinsic motivator results in lowered behavior levels• Overjustification Effect: if we give extrinsic rewards for things someone already loves to do, the intrinsic motivation may be replaced by the extrinsic motivation (athletes, musicians)

Motivation

The Theories (what is the stimulus?):

Evolutionary/Instinct Theories: Inborn behavioral patterns; unlearned, uniform, & universal fixed action patterns

• Do humans have instincts?• The modern view?

Motivation

The Theories (cont.):

Arousal Theories: “motivation” is to achieve/maintain some level of physiological arousal

Drive-Reduction Theory (“Push” theory): internal state of tension/arousal (the “drive” -- based on physiological need) that motivates (or “pushes”) the organism to reduce the tension, return to homeostasis (or physiological “balance”)

Need(food, water)

Drive(hunger, thirst)

Drive-reducingBehavior

(eating, drinking)

Motivation

MotivationThe Theories (cont.):

Optimal Arousal Theory: some “ideal” level – if below optimal, motivation to increase, if above, motivation to decrease

• Zuckerman’s “Sensation-Seeking” Scale…

Yerkes-Dodson Law: theory that says a degree of psychological arousal (stress, anxiety,

etc.) can actually improve performance, but only to a point; too much or too little arousal will decrease performance.

The Theories (cont.):

Incentive Theory (“Pull” theory): External goals motivate behavior

Modifed by the Expectancy-Value Model: motivation to pursue a given goal depends on your perceived likelihood of reaching the goal and the value of that goal

Incorporates the idea of Locus of Control: our belief that we control the outcome of our own lives (also comes into play in depression theories)

Motivation

The Theories (cont.):

Humanistic Theory: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Motivation

Abraham Maslow (Humanist)• Needs motivate behavior• Natural hierarchy of human needs• “Lower” needs must be met before

higher can be met• Criticisms?

Three “Types” of Motives:

Primary Drives (Biological): Necessary for Survival

Hunger – Influenced by:• Brain (“Hunger/Satiety Center”), hormones• External controls• Social influences• Culture

Motivation

Thirst – Influenced by:• Cells & Salt loss/Hypothalamus• External/environmental factors

Sex – Influenced by:• Hormones• Pheromones?• Experiences & learning• Culture

Three “Types” of Motives:

Stimulus Motives (Innate): Unlearned, Encourage “Exploration”

Exploration/curiosity: do organisms “need” stimulation?

Motivation

Manipulation: may explain our need to touch everything!

Contact: Harlow’s monkey studies

Three “Types” of Motives:

Learned (Social) Motives

Aggression: may be motivated by pain or frustration – cultural?

Achievement (need to excel): 3 types• Work orientation: do a good job• Mastery: improve abilities• Competitiveness: match skills w/ opponent

Affiliation: work for common cause (“belongingness”)

• “Joiners” vs. “Loners”

Motivation