1. Theories and Concepts of Motivation
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2. Theories and Concepts of Motivation: (Major Theories of Motivation)
Biological Theories:
Instinct--inborn, unlearned behaviors universal to species explain motivation
Drive-Reduction--internal tensions “push” toward satisfying basic needs
Arousal--motivated toward optimal level of arousal
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3. Drive-Reduction Theory
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4. Hunger and the Brain Hypothalamus Neurotransmitters
lateral hypothalamus
initiation of hunger and eating
ventromedial hypothalamus
cessation of hunger and eating
Neurotransmitters

5. Obesity and Eating Behavior
Psychological Factors
In the past, the focus was on
emotional state
external food cues
Current research is focusing on
time and place cues
sugar and fat content

6. Disordered Eating Anorexia Nervosa
relentless pursuit of thinness through starvation
more common among females
main characteristics
less than 85% of normal weight
unsupported fear of gaining weight
distorted body image
amenorrhea
medical dangers and mortality
IM: Anorexia Nervosa Activity 6

7. Disordered Eating Causes of Anorexia and Bulimia sociocultural
media images
family interactions
biological
genetics
serotonin regulation
neurological effects of dieting, binging, purging
IM: Anorexia Nervosa Activity 7

8. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Arousal Theory
People seek an optimal level of arousal that maximizes their performance.
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9. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Theories and Concepts of Motivation: (Major Theories of Motivation Cont.)
Psychosocial Theories:
Incentive--motivation results from the “pull” of external environmental stimuli
Cognitive--motivation affected by attributions and expectations
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

10. Intrinsic v. Extrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation
organismic needs + enjoyability
key to achievement
Extrinsic Motivation
incentives (rewards, punishments)
Does extrinsic motivation undermine intrinsic motivation?

11. Self-Determination Theory
Three Basic Organismic Needs
competence
self-efficacy, mastery, expectations for success
relatedness
warm relations with others, need to belong
autonomy
independence and self-reliance
IM: Activity Handout 10.2: The Needs for Personal Growth

12. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Theories and Concepts of Motivation: (Major Theories of Motivation Cont.)
Biopsychosocial Theory:
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: interaction of biological, psychological, and social needs; lower motives (physiological and safety) must be met before higher needs (belonging, self-esteem)
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13. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
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14. Social Motivation: Why make friends?
Evolutionary Psychology: Using Darwinian principles to explain human nature.
Being nice, making friends must have offered some fitness advantage for our ancestors
Evolution of niceness:
Kin selection: being nice to those with similar genetics
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15. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Kin selection
There are a number of examples of what appear to be altruistic behaviors among animals. Most are explainable as examples of kin selection.
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16. Reciprocity: You scratch my back I’ll scratch yours
Non related individuals sometimes engage in reciprocal arrangements, vampire bats share blood, chimps groom for food
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17. Indirect reciprocity: being nice to the nice
Some animals are sensitive to reputation and restrict reciprocal interactions to only those who have a history of playing fair
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18. So why are humans friendly to each other?
Kin bias
Reciprocal arrangements
Reputational rewards
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

19. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Human Mate Attraction
Using an evolutionary approach to explain why we are attracted to certain traits in members of the opposite sex.
Operates at level of “gut” attractions, not conscious evaluation
Identifies what types of attractions in members of opposite sex would have enhanced reproductive success in our ancestral past.
Argues that problems of optimizing reproductive success would have been different for males and females, and thus would have lead to somewhat different reproductive strategies and attractions.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

20. Thomas Aquinas on Marriage
We observe that in those animals, dogs for instance, in which the female herself suffices for the rearing of the offspring, the male and female stay no time together after the sexual act. But in animals in which the female herself does not suffice for the rearing of the offspring, male and female dwell together after the sexual act so long as is necessary for the rearing and training of the offspring. This appears in birds whose young are incapable of their own food after they are hatched…Hence, whereas it is necessary in all animals for the male to stand by the female for such a time as the father’s concurrence is requisite for bringing up the progeny, it is natural for man to be tied to…one woman for a long period…(SCG B3 Q122).
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21. Challenges to reproductive success: Males vs. Females
Advantages of being male:
Cheap sperm: relatively low parental investment cost
Disadvantage:
low paternity certainty
Advantage of being female:
High maternity certainty
costly eggs: relatively high parental investment
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22. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Buss: Global study on mate attraction Over 10,000 subjects from over 30 countries across the globe.
Female attractions: decrease parental investment by getting good genes and copious resources
Male long-term mate attractions: increase paternity certainty, while maximizing reproductive output
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

23. Evolved Male Attractions: Long-term mates – desire for youth
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24. Evolved Male Attractions: Beauty
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25. Evolved Male Attractions: Chastity
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26. Evolved Male Attractions: Long-term mates Summary
1. Youth/Beauty: increase reproductive value in single mate
2. Chastity/youth: increasing paternity certainty in offspring to be resourced
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27. Evolved female attractions: Long-term mates Age
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28. Evolved female attractions: long-term mates Financial Prospects
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29. Evolved Female attractions: Long-term mates Good genes
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30. Evolved Female attractions: Long-term mates Good genes
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31. Female evolved attractions: summary
1. Older mate/good financial prospects: status, stability, resources
2. Cues of masculinity: good genes
3. interaction with ovulatory cycle: evidence for cuckoldry strategy?
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32. Human mate attraction: Long term mates
Males: young, beautiful, sexually modest
Reproductive value; paternity certainty
Females: older, high-status (or potential), robust
Good genetics, stable secure source of resources.
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33. Cross-cultural signally
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34. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Risks of step-parenting. Note: Violent step parents represent less than 1% of step families
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35. Darwinian strategy to happy marriage
For females: Men want paternity certainty, so avoid all jealousy-arousing behavior (don’t even look at other men). Also, take good care of his genes (offspring).
For males: Women want resources. All the money is hers. Avoid spending money in any way she dislikes.
For both: Both want health (good genes, fertility, etc.) Take care of yourselves. Have some kids – lower divorce rate among couples with kids.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)