Lecture Topic 5 - Motivation

Question 1

Motivation

Answer 1

Motivation examines how biological, psychological and environmental factors contribute to drive individuals to act and persist in goal-directed behaviour

Question 2

Biological Theory of Motivation

and what are the three theories

Answer 2

Biological theories of motivation revolve mainly around basic human issues such as hunger and incorporates physiological and evolutionary elements.
* Instinct Approach
* Drive-Reduction Approach
* Arousal Approach

Question 3

Instinct Approach (biological theory of motivation)

AND
example

Answer 3

Instinct Approach
The instinct approach to motivation proposes that certain human behaviours are innate and biologically driven, similar to non-human animal instincts, and that these instincts motivate individuals to act in specific way. The theory is also heavily influenced by sociobiology (i.e., evolutionary theory applied to psychology).

Adam is motivated to drink water because he needs to hydrate to survive (evolutionary theory). He did not need to “learn” this behaviour, it is innate.

Question 4

Drive-Reduction Approach (Biological theory of motivation)

AND
example

Answer 4

Drive-reduction argues that individuals are motivated to act to reduce internal tensions or “drives” caused by unmet biological needs, aiming to restore a state of equilibrium or homeostasis (balance).

Example:
Zoe is motivated to eat bread because she is hungry and, as such, this hunger has caused a biological imbalance which is solved by eating – bringing her back into balance biologically.

Question 5

Arousal Approach (biological theory of motivation)

and example

Answer 5

The arousal approach to motivation suggests that people are driven to maintain an optimal level (i.e., subjective baseline) of physiological arousal, seeking activities to increase or decrease arousal when it deviates from this ideal.

Example:
Doreen is motivated to skydive because she has a high baseline for optimal arousal while Sam is not motivated to skydive because he has a lower baseline for optimal arousal.

Question 6

Behavioural theory of motivation and what is the main approach

Answer 6

Behavioural theories of motivation revolve mainly around the use of rewards and punishments.

incentive approach

Question 7

Incentive approach - behavioural theory of motivation

and example

Answer 7

The incentive approach to motivation is an extension of the operant conditioning model developed by Skinner, especially regarding the importance of rewards and punishments. The theory suggests that individuals are motivated to maximize external positive incentives and minimize external negative incentives.

Example:
Tori is motivated to make her bed each morning because she receives $10 each time she makes her bed and has to pay her parents $10 each time she does not make her bed.

Question 8

Humanistic theory of motivation adn what is the main approach

Answer 8

Humanistic theories of motivation revolve mainly around the belief that people have physiological, psychological and spiritual needs which must be satisfied to self actualise (i.e., become the best person they can be).
* Need Approach

Question 9

Need Approach - humanistic theory of motivation

and an example

Answer 9

Humanistic theories of motivation revolve mainly around the belief that people have physiological, psychological and spiritual needs which must be satisfied to self actualise (i.e., become the best person they can be).
* Need Approach
The need approach to motivation is based on the work of Abraham Maslow which argues that an individual has a hierarchical set of needs that progress from basic needs to psychological needs to self-actualisation (spiritual needs) and that these needs will motivate related behaviours.

Example:
Sarah is motivated to seek food and shelter because she does not currently have these basic needs while Farrah is motivated to seek love and friendship because she currently has fulfilled her basic needs.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Question 10

Cognitive theory of motivation

and what is the approach

Answer 10

Cognitive theories of motivation extend the behavioural theories of incentivisation by adding in the important element of thinking styles, particularly regarding beliefs about our abilities and the control we have over them.

One of the main issues relating to this concept is the distinction between “cannot vs. will not”

Question 11

• Intrinsic/Extrinsic Approach

and an example

cognitive theory of motivation

Answer 11

The intrinsic/extrinsic approach to motivation is based on the belief that individuals will make behavioural decisions based on the degree to which:
They believe they can do something (cannot vs. will not)
The degree to which they are open to internal and external incentives

Example:
David is motivated to work hard at painting because: (1) he believes it is something he can do, and (2) he experiences an internal incentive (e.g., feels good about himself when he creates something) and/or an external incentive (e.g., makes money from his art).

Question 12

Indicators of cannot vs will not

Answer 12

One of the most important steps in the intrinsic/extrinsic theory of emotion is based on our ability to make an accurate judgement of whether someone cannot or will not behave a certain way. To form this judgement, we assess several behavioural markers, including:
* historical examples of engaging in the behaviour
* the ability to engage in similar behaviours
* the ability to engage in the behaviour if incentivised

Question 13

intrinsic motivation factors

Answer 13

Behavioural theories of motivation revolve mainly around the use of rewards and punishments.
* curiosity
* perceived challenge
* positive “good” feeling
* accomplishment

Question 14

extrinsic motivation factors

Answer 14

Behavioural theories of motivation revolve mainly around the use of rewards and punishments.
* tangible rewards (e.g., money)
* intangible rewards (e.g., praise)
* social/political pressure