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 perform behavior 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-reducing Behavior (eating, drinking) Motivation

The 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