Chapter 10 - Motivational Theories and Concepts

Question 1

define motivation

Answer 1

motivation involves goal-directed behaviour.

Question 2

define motives

Answer 2

motives are the needs, wants, interests, and desires that propel people in certain directions; propel us to achieve important goals.

Question 3

define homeostasis

Answer 3

a state of physiological equilibrium or stability to behaviour.

Question 4

drive theory

Answer 4

a drive is an internal state of tension that motivates an organism to engage in activities that should reduce this tension.

**these unpleasant states of tension are viewed as disruptions of the preferred equilibrium.

e.g., during a long class you may begin to feel hungry. The hunger motive has usually been conceptualized as a drive system—if you go without food for a while, you begin to experience some discomfort. This internal tension (the drive) motivates you to obtain food. Eating reduces the drive and restores physiological equilibrium.

note: drive theories have been very influential but they cannot explain all motivation (e.g., sometimes you eat when you aren’t the least bit hungry).

Question 5

define incentive

Answer 5

an incentive is an external goal that has the capacity to motivate behaviour.

e.g., ice cream, a juicy steak, a monetary prize, approval from friends, an A on an exam, or a promotion at work.

Question 6

drive vs. incentive models of motivation

Answer 6

**often contrasted as push-versus-pull theories.

drive theories:
-internal states of tension push people in certain directions.
-the source of motivation lies within the organism.
-focus on the biological bases of human motivation.

incentive theories:
-external stimuli pull people in certain directions.
-the source of motivation lies outside the organism, in the environment.
-don’t operate according to the principles of homeostasis.

Question 7

evolutionary theories of motivation

Answer 7

-motives are shaped by natural selection to solve adaptive problems faced by our ancestors

-behaviours that enhance reproductive success are favoured

-motives like dominance, affiliation, and achievement are linked to survival/mating advantages (e.g., dominance may attract mates, outcompete rivals, and gain resources)

-David Buss (1995) points out that motives like achievement, power (dominance), and intimacy are studied heavily because they impact reproductive success

Question 8

motivational theorists of all persuasions agree on one point:

Answer 8

humans display an enormous diversity of motives. These include biological motives, such as hunger, thirst, and sex, and a variety of social motives, such as the needs for achievement, affiliation, autonomy, dominance, and order.