Motivation: Drives, Hunger, and the Hierarchy of Needs

Motivation Guides Behavior Motivation: is a stimulus that directs behavior. Motivation: is a stimulus that directs behavior. Behavior is guided by both physiological and psychological needs/desires. Behavior is guided by both physiological and psychological needs/desires. What types of things motivate us? What types of things motivate us?

major theories of MOTIVATION Instinct / Evolutionary Perspective Instinct / Evolutionary Perspective Drive Reduction Drive Reduction Incentive Incentive Arousal Theory Arousal Theory Maslow’s hierarchy of needs Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Instinct (Motivational Theory # 1) Refers to inherited patterns of behavior that are unlearned. Mostly common in species other than humans. Refers to inherited patterns of behavior that are unlearned. Mostly common in species other than humans. Ex: Imprinting Ex: Imprinting

IMPRINTING IMPRINTING : IMPRINTING Owen the baby hippo & Mzee, the 130-year-old tortoise Owen the baby hippo & Mzee, the 130-year-old tortoise the process by which animals form attachments during a limited critical period early in life

IMPRINTING Tink the dachsand & her piglet “puppy”, Pink.

Instinct (Motivational Theory #1) + Provides survival value – Doesn’t meet the complexity of most human behavior

Internal Motivation How do you know when you need a glass of water? How do you know when you need a glass of water? Need: a situation where you require something we lack.

Alive

This Feeling of Thirstiness Creates a Drive Drive: caused by some need. Drive: caused by some need. Ex: Thirst or hunger Ex: Thirst or hunger Drives motivate us to do behave in a certain way. Drives motivate us to do behave in a certain way. The goal of our body according to some psychologists, is to ELIMINATE all drives so that we can experience homeostasis: a balanced or constant internal state that the body regulates. The goal of our body according to some psychologists, is to ELIMINATE all drives so that we can experience homeostasis: a balanced or constant internal state that the body regulates.

Drive Reduction Theory (Motivational Theory # 2) Drive Reduction Theory: idea that physiological (biological) needs create drives which motivates an organism to satisfy the need. Drive Reduction Theory: idea that physiological (biological) needs create drives which motivates an organism to satisfy the need. Ex: Thirstiness (physiological need) creates tension state (drive) which motivates you to get water. Ex: Thirstiness (physiological need) creates tension state (drive) which motivates you to get water. After you drink, the drive is reduced and you are closer to homeostasis. After you drink, the drive is reduced and you are closer to homeostasis.

Drive Reduction Theory (Motivational Theory 2) + Primary drives satisfied +Homeostasis for bio needs – Does not account for secondary motives

Drive Reduction Theory (Motivational Theory #2) Examples of secondary motives: curiosity curiosity sensation seeking sensation seeking play play achievement achievement affiliation affiliation Power Power Drive Reduction Theory does not explain why we want these things!

Incentive Theory (Motivational Theory #3) Incentives Theory: a positive or negative ENVIRONMENTAL (has to be external) stimulus motivates behavior. Incentives Theory: a positive or negative ENVIRONMENTAL (has to be external) stimulus motivates behavior. Incentives are not “needs”. Incentives are not “needs”. Ex: money, etc. Ex: money, etc.

Contrasting approaches Drive reduction theory 5 hours since last meal 5 hours since last meal Hunger Hunger internal internal Incentive theory Ice cream truck Ice cream truck Palatability (good tasting) Palatability (good tasting) external external

Exploration Scale

Arousal Theory (Motivational Theory #4) Based on 2 basic ideas: Based on 2 basic ideas: Individuals perform tasks at different levels of arousal (wakefulness/stress). Individuals perform tasks at different levels of arousal (wakefulness/stress). Each individual seeks to find its optimal level of arousal to perform tasks and to avoid boredom. Each individual seeks to find its optimal level of arousal to perform tasks and to avoid boredom.. People with high levels of optimal arousal may be more susceptible to thrill seeking activities while those with low levels may seek out more relaxing quiet activities. We are motivated to do some things to maintain our arousal. We are motivated to do some things to maintain our arousal. Babies Explore their surroundings out of curiosity.

Monkeys Illustrating Optimal Arousal

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Motivation Theory 5) Physical Needs at bottom must be met first. Physical Needs at bottom must be met first. Psychological goals come after…ultimate goal is self actualization. Psychological goals come after…ultimate goal is self actualization.

Quick Review: Why Do We Eat? Incentive Theory would argue: Incentive Theory would argue: Drive Reduction Theory would argue: Drive Reduction Theory would argue: Optimal Arousal Theory would argue: Optimal Arousal Theory would argue:

Time’s Affect on Hunger Memory of our last meal can also affect hunger along with our schedule of when we usually eat. Memory of our last meal can also affect hunger along with our schedule of when we usually eat. Ex. Amnesia Patients who cannot remember their last meal will readily eat another meal soon after the previous one.

Learning (External Environment) and Hunger If good eating habits are positively reinforced and bad habits punished, children will often eat healthy. Type of conditioning? If good eating habits are positively reinforced and bad habits punished, children will often eat healthy. Type of conditioning? People can also develop taste aversions due to certain associations. People can also develop taste aversions due to certain associations. Ex: chemotherapy patients. Ex: chemotherapy patients. Modeling: imitation of healthy or poor eating habits can effect a child’s eating. Modeling: imitation of healthy or poor eating habits can effect a child’s eating. Ex: Parents Eat Junk Food Ex: Parents Eat Junk Food

Culture’s Influence on Eating Although our preferences for sweet and salty foods are genetic and universal, our culture’s eating norms affect our specific eating habits. Although our preferences for sweet and salty foods are genetic and universal, our culture’s eating norms affect our specific eating habits. Monkey Stew is a popular dish in some Eastern cultures. This steak would seem repulsive to eat to most Hindus.

Reinforcements Influence on Eating Example: May finish your vegetables to stop your mom from nagging you or to make your grandma happy. Example: May finish your vegetables to stop your mom from nagging you or to make your grandma happy. If you eat brussel sprouts, you get dessert If you eat brussel sprouts, you get dessert

Culture’s Influence on Eating (disorders) Many argue the impossible standards of beauty put out by popular culture has lead to an increase in eating disorders: Many argue the impossible standards of beauty put out by popular culture has lead to an increase in eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa: eating disorder in which a normal-weight person diets and becomes significantly underweight, yet still feels fat and starves themselves. Anorexia Nervosa: eating disorder in which a normal-weight person diets and becomes significantly underweight, yet still feels fat and starves themselves. Bulimia Nervosa: an eating disorder usually characterized by excessive eating followed by vomiting. Bulimia Nervosa: an eating disorder usually characterized by excessive eating followed by vomiting.

Changing Beauty Standards Correlate with Eating Disorders KATE MOSS MARILYN MONROEIDEAL UNTIL 1900’S

Anorexia Often Ends In Death

Women’s Distorted Ideals of Body Image Thinnest Women’s ideal What women believed men preferred What men actually preferred Women’s current body image Fattest

Achievement Motivation Achievement Motivation: desire to accomplish things and attaining a high standard. Achievement Motivation: desire to accomplish things and attaining a high standard. 2 Types of Achievement Motivation: 2 Types of Achievement Motivation: 1. Intrinsic Motivation: performing task for its own sake. 2. Extrinsic Motivation: performing task because of you will receive rewards or punishments.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Mom: “I’ll give you $5 for every A.’’ Controlling reward Child: “As long as she pays, I’ll study.’’ Extrinsic motivation Mom: “Your grades were great! Let’s celebrate by going out for dinner.’’ Informative reward Child: “I love doing well.’’ Intrinsic motivation

What types of tasks do people with high achievement challenge themselves with? A. Very Easy A. Very Easy B. Moderately Easy B. Moderately Easy C. Moderate C. Moderate D. Moderately Difficult D. Moderately Difficult E. Very Difficult E. Very Difficult