Upload
herbert-dixon
View
215
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Motivational Motivational ConceptsConcepts
Chapter 11, Lecture 1Chapter 11, Lecture 1
“For each motive, we can therefore ask, ‘How isit pushed by our inborn physiological needs andpulled by incentives in the environment?’”
- David Myers
Motivation
First, a question for your notes:First, a question for your notes:
Why do you want to go to Why do you want to go to college or university?college or university?
Motivation
Motivation is a need or desire that energizes
behavior and directs it towards a goal.
Aron Ralston was motivated to cut his arm in order to free himself from a rock that pinned
him down.
Aron Ralston
AP
Photo/ R
ocky Mountain N
ews, Judy W
algren
Perspectives on Motivation
Four perspectives used to explain motivation include the following:
1. Instinct Theory (replaced by the evolutionary perspective)
2. Drive-Reduction Theory3. Arousal Theory4. Hierarchy of Motives
Instincts & Evolutionary Psychology
Instincts are complex behaviors that have fixed patterns throughout different species
and are not learned (Tinbergen, 1951).
Where the woman builds different kinds of housesthe bird builds only one kind of nest.
© A
riel Skelley/ M
asterfile
Tony B
randenburg/ Bruce C
oleman, Inc.
Drives and Incentives
When the instinct theory of motivation failed, it was replaced by the drive-
reduction theory. A physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a
drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need.
The psychological aim of drive reduction is homeostasis – the maintenance of a steady internal
state.
Incentive
Where our needs push, incentives (positive or negative stimuli) pull us in
reducing our drives.
A food-deprived person who smells baking bread(incentive) feels a strong hunger drive.
Optimum Arousal
Human motivation aims to seek optimum levels of arousal, not to eliminate it. Young monkeys and children are known to explore the environment in the absence of a need-
based drive.
Harlow
Prim
ate Laboratory,
University of W
isconsin
Randy F
aris/ Corbis
A Hierarchy of Motives
Abraham Maslow (1970) suggested that
certain needs have priority over others.
Physiological needs like breathing, thirst, and hunger come before psychological needs
such as achievement, self-esteem, and the need for recognition.
(1908-1970)