7.1 Theories of Motivation

Self-Actualization

A critical notion of humanistic psychology is self-actualization. Self Actualization is the impulse or need to live up to your fullest and unique potential.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A law that comes from Arousal Theory It's about performance Moderate arousal Makes for the best performance Difficult task - low moderate is best Simple task - high moderate is best

Instinct

Complex behaviors species-wide AND unlearned. For a period, psychologists used Instinct Theory to explain much of human behavior, but this has fallen out of favor. Humans are so adaptable that our most complex behaviors are learned. Humans do not have instincts.

Intrinsic Motivation

Hopefully you'll be driven by intrinsic motivation - the desire to do something for its own sake, just because you love it. The motivation comes from the activity itself - from an internal factor

Arousal Theory

Motivation theory At any given moment we desire a certain level of arousal (interest/activity) We do things to achieve this level

Drive Reduction Theory

Motivation theory Physiological Drives create a need - an internal biological push We satisfy the need Until Homeostasis Homeostasis is the steady, balanced internal state of your body.

Incentives

Motivation theory Something external, in your environment, motivates behavior - a pull You are incentivized to get good grades because then you can graduate high school, which opens up bigger and better opportunities.

Motives/Motivation

Motives are needs or desires energize and direct behavior basically, any reason you might do anything! Behavior is sometimes "pushed" by a biological need (e.g. water), "pulled" by an incentive (e.g. good grades), or energized by a desire to seek some optimal level of arousal (e.g. you're bored so you go on your phone).

Extrinsic Motivation

On your path to self actualization you'll be routinely driven by extrinsic motivation - a desire to do something to receive a reward or avoid punishment. The motivation comes not from the activity itself but from another outside factor/EXTERNAL

Drive(s)

Physiological needs create a motivated state - a drive - which pushes us to reduce the need. Physiological needs are biological necessities - food, water, etc.

Self Efficacy

Something that will be crucial on your path to self actualization will be your sense of self efficacy - one's felt sense of competence, agency, and effectiveness in the world.

Cognitive Dissonance

Sometimes our motivations are not so straightforward as intrinsic or extrinsic motivation. Cognitive Dissonance Theory says that we are often motivated to reconcile our thoughts/beliefs with our actions. So if our beliefs do not align with our actions, we are motivated to change one of them.

Hierarchy of Needs

We have lots of needs as human beings - biological, emotional, psychological, social, etc BUT some needs take priority over others. Abraham Maslow attempted to capture how we prioritize needs in his Hierarchy of Needs.

Overjustification Effect

You start by having an intrinsic motivation for doing the act But then it becomes your job? You're now forced to do it for external reasons Now you enjoy it less You get the Overjustification Effect which says that your overall motivation will diminish when the fruits of your intrinsic motivation are rewarded externally.