5. Motivation

Question 1

1. Jason, in his Honours thesis, uses a typical cognitive theory of motivation to explain why some
   people in the workplace are more likely engage in problematic behaviour. Which of these
   criticisms of such motivational theories is NOT typically made by Maze
   a. Such theories ignore the positive reinforcements for the behaviour in the environment
   b. Such theories do not explain how expectations about events in the future can cause present
   behaviour
   c. Such theories do not provide a biological/physiological explanation of the behaviour
   d. Cognitions by themselves cannot initiate behaviour, and are therefore not a full explanation

Answer 1

a. Such theories ignore the positive reinforcements for the behaviour in the environment

Question 2

What are reasons in psychology?

Answer 2

Beliefs & Desires. Belief-desire mode of explanation. Actions are explained by beliefs and desires.

Question 3

What elements psychological reasons have?

Answer 3

Cognitive element: schema, belief, expectation

Conative/motivational element: wish, desire, want

Question 4

What are teleological accounts of motivation?

Answer 4

Inner agent brings about (causes) an action.

Question 5

Why does Maze criticise teleological accounts of motivation?

Answer 5

fallacy of constitutive relations
Aspect of mind (purpose, choice) claimed to bring about the action has its aims as part of it (defined by its goal)
Similar issue as cog science representations being defined by their objects.

Question 6

What is Maze’s account of motivation-> action?

Answer 6

Modelled on Freuds drives. Causal account. Centres in brain are hardwires and switched on by stimuli, drive specific pre-programmed behaviours.

Question 7

What is a pluralist/partitive view of mind? (within Freud/Maze motivation)

Answer 7

distinguises being conscious of events and self-consciousness

Question 8

What are the 6 drives?

Answer 8

Removes purposiveness: drive process doesn’t seek anything
Distinguishes primary and derivative goals: primary (activates initial learning centres)
Essential state materialism (mind processes can map onto brain)
Cognition 2nd to drives/motives
Pluralistic partitive view of mind
Cog processes are always motivated