Motivation

What is Motivation?

The influences that account for behavior.

• Why do people behave the way they do?

Motivation may not be directly observed

Explains why behavior can change over time

Different stimuli can trigger the same behavior response

The same stimuli can trigger different behavioral responses at different times

Motives: A reason or purpose for behavior

Motive

Sometimes explained as an intervening variable:.

Sources of Motivation

Biological Factors

Emotional Factors

Cognitive Factors

Social Factors

Theories of Motivation

Instinct Theory

Drive Reduction Theory

Optimal Arousal Theory

Incentive theory

Instinct Theory

“fixed-action patterns”

• Unlearned & species typical responses to stimuli

• Does not account for WHY behavior occurs.

• Drinking problems were the result of “Drinking Instincts”

“modal action patterns”

• Study instincts at birth

• Understanding that behavior is modified through experience.

• Behavior may not be “genetically determined”

Automatic & involuntary behavior patterns triggered by stimuli

Evolutionary Approach

Behaviors exist to promote survival

We look to “maximize” our

genetic code for the next generation

Largely unaware of these behaviors

Differences in mate selection between males & females.

Evolutionary explanations do not account for

cultural practices/ideology.

Drive Reduction Theory Physiological need creates aroused

tension state (a drive) that

motivates an organism to satisfy

that need.

“Pushed” to reduce drives

AIM? Homeostasis-

maintenance of steady internal

state

Need

(food, water)

Drive

(hunger, thirst)

Drive Reducing Behaviors

(eating, drinking)

Incentive Theory Behavior directed towards attaining desirable stimuli and

avoiding unwanted stimuli

** emphasizes push or pull of EXTERNAL forces

Influenced by physiological, cognitive, and social factors

Primary / Secondary

Optimum Arousal Theory

Humans want to seek optimum levels of arousal

ie) lack stimulation look for arousal/excitement

ie) too much stimulation want to destress/ decrease arousal

Yerkes-Dodson Law- moderate arousal optimal performance

What 10 things would you bring on a

Deserted Island?

Self-Actualization

Esteem

(respect)

Belongingness & Love

(acceptance, affection)

Safety

(nurturance, money)

Physiological

(food, water, oxygen)

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need

(Motives)

(maximizing potential)

Motivation is

based on various

needs at any given

time.

MotivationalTheory Strength Weakness

InstinctTheory

(Evolutionary

Psychology)

Evolutionary psychology

helps explain behavioral

similarities due to

adaptations from our

environment

Instinct theory explains

animal behavior better than

human behavior (few true

human instincts)

Drive-Reduction

Theory

Explains our motivation to

reduce arousal by meeting

basic needs, such as hunger

or thirst

Does not explain why some

motivated behaviors increase

arousal

Optimal-ArousalExplains that motivated

behaviors may decrease or

increase arousal

Does not explain our

motivation to address our

more complex social needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy

of Needs

Incorporates the idea that

we have various levels of

needs

The order may change in

some circumstances.

Evolutionary psychologists

note absence of

reproduction

Which theory BEST explains each scenario?

Scenario #1

After working all afternoon

cleaning up the attic, Mr. Dixon is

very thirsty and drinks a big glass of

orange juice.

Scenario # 2

Bryce plays basketball because it is fun and

keeps her busy during the fall and winter

when there is not a lot going on. She

doesn’t like being bored. She chooses not

to play sports during the spring because it is

AP Test crunch time and having an

extracurricular can get too overwhelming.

Scenario # 3

A fixed action pattern of Canadian

geese is to fly south in the winter.

Scenario # 4

Six-year-old Patrick was very excited and curious

when his parents took him to the circus for the

first time. However, when the clowns climbed

over the barrier and started playing tricks on

some of the children nearby, Patrick became

visibly upset. Patrick’s initial curiosity and his

later fear and apprehension in this situation are

best explained by which theory?

Scenario # 5

Susie plays a sport because she likes to

be physically active; she has chosen

soccer because she enjoys the status she

obtains as a soccer player.

SCENARIO

Rodney Denman was an outstanding volleyball player during his

first three years of high school, but he did not perform as well in

the classroom. At the end of his junior year, he discovered that

he would not be eligible for any college volleyball scholarships

unless he raised his grades. During his senior year, Denman’s

grades rose from a D average to a B+ average while his

outstanding performance on the volleyball court continued.

TASK (WITH A PARTNER)

Explain Rodney Denman’s change in behavior using 2 theories

of motivation

(instinct, drive reduction, optimal arousal, & incentive).

THEORIES OF MOTIVATION