Theories of Motivation

1. Theories of Motivation

2. Critical Thinking In a paragraph or 2, identify some factors, traits, or offer some explanations that help explain why some people are less motivated than others. When writing your response think about the 4 sources of motivation. Biological Emotional Cognitive Social

3. Theories: Biology or Environment • Many theories are similar, but they vary in the amount of emphasis that each places upon either biological or environmental influences on motivation. • One theory strongly emphasizes nature as a main motivational influence. nature nurture

4. Instinct Theory • Motivation is the result of biological, genetic programming. • Survivalis at the of this perspective: actions = instincts. EXAMPLE: Human mothers, unlike many other species, will stay awake with a crying baby all night long trying to provide comfort. Why?

5. Instincts as Behavior Patterns- McDougal • Unlearned • Uniform in expression and • Universal Example: Nests and Webs – McDougal claims that humans are more or less the same as other animals in terms of instinctive jealousy, mating drives, & other instincts

6. Problems with instinct theories • There is no agreed-upon list of instincts; Not universal. Examples: Jealousy, sex drive, and aggression vary • Social behaviors complicate understanding of biological influences. • Instinct theory better explain animal behavior. WWFS?

7. Drive Theories • Drive: an internal state of tension that motivates an organism to engage in activities that are focused on reducing this tension • Homeostasis: an organism’s tendency to maintain a steady internal state Example: When body temperature wavers, there are autonomic responses to adjust. hunger satiety

8. Problems With Drive Reduction Theories • Homeostasis seems irrelevant to some human motives. • How does “thirst for knowledge” fit into this model? • Motivation may exist with or without a drive arousal. Example: Do we eat only when we are hungry?

9. Arousal Theory Explains behaviors that don’t obviously decrease drives. • Examples: thrill seeking, curiosity, “because it’s there.” General Level of Activation: People are motivated to maintain their optimum level of arousal. Yerkes-Dodson Law: In general: Performance is best with MODERATE arousal.

10. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs • Systematic arrangement of needs according to priority • According to Maslow, we must meet one need before we move on to the next. In practice – it does not always work in that way. • Which perspective do we associate Maslow with?

12. How do we solve conflicts between motives? • Approach-Approach: 2 good choices • Avoidance-Avoidance: 2 bad choices • Approach-Avoidance: A good choice with bad consequences OR OR AND

13. Achievement Motivation • Extrinsic Motivation: desire to work for external rewards (money, fame, power, praise) • Intrinsic Motivation: Work for internal satisfaction of a job well done People with high achievement motivation seek to master tasks, strive for excellence, take pride in their work.

14. Incentive Theory • Incentive: an external goal that has the potential to motivate behavior. • While Drive Theory describes an internal state PUSHING you in a specific direction, Incentive Theory describes how an external stimulus PULLSor Repels your behavior. • Can be + or - DRIVES INCENTIVES

15. The Hunger Mechanism

16. Hunger Motivation • The multiple-systems approach to hunger • Set point – Refers to the tendency of the body to maintain a certain level of body fat and body weight • Appetite is influenced by the lateral hypothalamus & ventromedial hypothalamus parts of the brain • Eating disorders are a disruption to this normal system • Weight control is a complex issue involving multiple systems and the brain, along with social/cultural influenceshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94c43AlwLKo&feature=related

17. On Monday, we will have a special guest speaker from the Emily Program who will talk about eating disorders more specifically