Motivation and Work Motivation…..the connection between nature (our physiological “push,”) and nurture (the cognitive and cultural “pulls.”)

What’s my motivation???  What is YOUR motivation? –What causes you to do things?

Perspective and Motivation  Motivation: A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.  Motivation is derived from four psychological perspectives. –Instinct Theory –Drive-Reduction Theory –Arousal Theory –Hierarchy of Needs Theory

1. Instinct Theory  Behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned.  To be considered “instinct,” behavior must have a fixed pattern throughout a species and must be unlearned. –Examples:  Infants rooting/sucking

2. Drive-Reduction Theory  Replaced “Instinct Theory”  Definition: A physiological need creates an aroused state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need.  The goal of Instinct theory is “homeostasis.”  Example: We become dehydrated, so our body creates an “aroused state” or drive for water. This motivates us to take a drink (drive-reducing behavior). The goal is to achieve homeostasis.

3. Arousal / Optimum Arousal Theory  Basically this theory just states the fact that sometimes we do things because we are curious.  The question would be “why did you touch that?” –The answer would be “because it was there.”  We are all fascinated by things we’ve never seen, touched, or smelled before. It is human nature to explore the unknown.

4. Hierarchy of Needs Theory  Remember this one……..Maslow?? –Once our lower-level needs are met, we are prompted to satisfy our higher-level needs.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Let’s Take a Closer Look (at Maslow)…  Hunger: How can starvation drive us to behave in certain ways? –What about thirst?

Research on Hunger  When people are fed very little, their body goes into “starvation mood.” It begins to store fat, conserve energy, and loose muscle tone as the body literally “eats” the muscle to maintain itself. –Behaviors:  Obsession with food (talk about it, dream about it)  Lost interest in sex and social activities  They became preoccupied with their unfulfilled basic need to eat.

The Psychology of Hunger  We know our body naturally triggers our desire to eat but what about our mind?  Environmental factors play a huge role on when, how and what we eat. –When feeling tense or depressed, we crave starchy carbs (because carbs help boost levels of serotonin which brings a calming effect.

More on Hunger  Many of our taste preferences are conditioned.  If you grow up in a “salt it” home, you will continue to use salt.  Food aversions  Some cultures enjoy eating camel eyes. Our culture turns their nose up at the idea of eating dog, rat, and horse meat.

Hunger  But as with anything else, with repeated exposure we tend to grow more fond of certain things. –What other foods are an acquired taste? –Also, with repeated exposure to new foods, we tend to be more open to even others.

Eating Disorders  As with the way we eat, society also has a major influence on eating disorders. –Anorexia (always begins as a weight-loss diet) –Bulimia (usually occurs for the first time when a dieter has broken restrictions and gorged). –Usually hereditary (mom/dad is obsessed).