5.1 motivation Flashcards
motivation
the driving force behind our actions
extrinsic motivation
doing an activity for some reward or to avoid a punishment
intrinsic motivation
doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some consequence
4 main theories of motivation
instinct theory
arousal theory
drive reduction theory
need-based theory
instinct theory of motivation
people are driven to do certain behaviours based on evolutionarily programmed instincts
instincts
innate, fixed patterns of behaviour in response to stimuli
can last for a lifetime or disappear/appear with age
ex. thumb sucking
arousal theory
people perform actions in order to maintain an optimal level of arousal
arousal
the psychological and physiological state of being awake and reactive to stimuli
Yerkes-Dodson law
performance is worst at extremely high and low levels of arousal and optimal at an intermediate arousal level
drive reduction theory
motivation is based on the goal of eliminating uncomfortable states (drives)
drives (2)
internal states of tension that activate particular behaviours focused on goals
drives create an uncomfortable state which ensures motivation to eliminate or relieve the state
primary drives
drives related to biological processes and motivate us to maintain homeostasis
ex. food, water, and warmth
homeostasis
the regulation of the internal environment to maintain an optimal stable set of conditions
negative feedback loops
secondary drives
not directly related to biological processes
ex. the drive to get into med school