Chp 11.1: Motivation

Question 1

motivation

Answer 1

a process that influences the direction, persistence, and vigour of goal-directed behaviour

Question 2

instinct

Answer 2

an inherited characteristic, common to all members of a species, that automatically produces a particular response when the organism is exposed to a particular stimulus

Question 3

Evolutionary psychologists – to understand motivation, it’s important to know the _________ _________ of behaviours

Answer 3

adaptive significance

Question 4

homeostasis

Answer 4

the maintenance of biological equilibrium, or balance, within the body

Question 5

drive theory

Answer 5

the theory that physiological disruptions to homeostasis produce states of internal tension (called drives) that motivate an organism to behave in ways that reduce this tension

Question 6

Drives

Answer 6

are internal factors that “push” people toward their goal

Eg. Hunger is a drive

Question 7

incentive

Answer 7

an environmental stimulus or condition that motivates behaviour
(‘Pulls’ an organism towards a goal, external factors)
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Eg. Good grades are incentives for studying

Question 8

Why do people respond differently to the same incentive?

Answer 8

According to expectancy theory, it depends on people’s cognitive interpretations of the situation

Question 9

expectancy × value theory (expectancy therory)

Answer 9

a cognitive theory that goal-directed behaviour is jointly influenced by
(1) the person’s expectancy that a particular behaviour will contribute to reaching the goal, and
(2) how positively or negatively the person values the goal
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(Motivation= expectancy x incentive value)

Question 10

extrinsic motivation

Answer 10

motivation to perform a behaviour to obtain external rewards and reinforcers, such as money, status, attention, and praise

Question 11

intrinsic motivation

Answer 11

the motivation to perform a behaviour simply because one finds it interesting or enjoyable for its own sake

Question 12

overjustification hypothesis

Answer 12

• giving people extrinsic rewards to perform activities that they intrinsically enjoy may “overjustify” that behaviour and reduce intrinsic motivation
• In essence, we begin to perceive that we are performing for the extrinsic rewards rather than for enjoyment.

Question 13

need hierarchy

Answer 13

Maslow’s view that human needs are arranged in a progression, beginning with deficiency needs and then reaching growth needs

Question 14

self-actualization

Answer 14

in humanistic theories, an inborn tendency to strive toward the realization of one’s full potential

Question 15

self-determination theory (3)

Answer 15

a theory about motivation that focuses on three fundamental psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness

Question 16

Competence (self-determination theory)

Answer 16

reflects a human need to master new challenges and perfect skills

Question 17

Autonomy (self-determination theory)

Answer 17

(or self-determination) is satisfied when people experience their actions as a result of free choice without outside interference

Question 18

Relatedness (self-determination theory)

Answer 18

refers to our desire to form meaningful bonds with others.

Question 19

Two reasons to strive for success:

Answer 19

1. Motive for success: positively oriented motivation

2. Fear of failure: negatively oriented motivation

Question 20

achievement goal theory

Answer 20

a theory of achievement motivation that stresses the goals (ego versus mastery) and motivational climates that influence achievement strivings

Question 21

what is achievement goal theory based on? (2)

Answer 21

Based on:

1. individuals’ personal definition of success
2. characteristics of the achievement situation

Question 22

mastery orientation

Answer 22

Approach: master the task, learn, understand, improve
Avoidance: mistakes, misunderstanding, poor quality

Question 23

performance orientation

Answer 23

also referred to as “ego goals” because the individual is preoccupied with themself and how they appear to others
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Approach : win, be the best, noticed
Avoidance: losing, looking bad, being last

Question 24

mastery-approach goals

Answer 24

goals related to the desire to master a task and learn new knowledge and skills

Question 25

performance-approach goals

Answer 25

behaviour is motivated by the desire to outperform others; it reflects a competitive orientation that focuses on being better than other people

Question 26

mastery-avoidance goals

Answer 26

goals that reflect a fear of not performing up to one’s own standards

Question 27

performance-avoidance goals

Answer 27

behaviour is motivated by the desire to avoid being outperformed by others; that is, the goal is to avoid failure

Question 28

need for achievement

Answer 28

the desire to accomplish tasks and attain standards of excellence

Question 29

High-need achievers are likely to do better than low-need achievers when: (3)

Answer 29

• they see themselves as being responsible for the outcome,
• there is a moderate amount of risk for failure, and
• there is an opportunity to receive feedback about their performance

Question 30

approach-approach conflict

Answer 30

a conflict in which an individual is simultaneously attracted to two incompatible positive goals

Question 31

avoidance-avoidance conflict

Answer 31

a conflict in which an individual must choose between two alternatives, both of which she or he wishes to avoid

Question 32

approach-avoidance conflict

Answer 32

a conflict in which an individual is simultaneously attracted to and repelled by the same goal
(Eg. Going to grad school, but need to write a paper)

Question 33

delay discounting

Answer 33

Motivational conflict doesn’t only occur with immediate goals, but also with those in the future
- For example, this evening you may be faced with the choice of writing the essay that is due in two weeks or watching your favourite TV show
- you have an immediate incentive (the TV show that is about to start) and a delayed incentive (your mark from a well-written essay).
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The value of an incentive, such as getting a good mark, decreases with a delay.