Chp 11.1: Motivation Flashcards
motivation
a process that influences the direction, persistence, and vigour of goal-directed behaviour
instinct
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
Evolutionary psychologists – to understand motivation, it’s important to know the _________ _________ of behaviours
adaptive significance
homeostasis
the maintenance of biological equilibrium, or balance, within the body
drive theory
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
Drives
are internal factors that “push” people toward their goal
Eg. Hunger is a drive
incentive
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
Why do people respond differently to the same incentive?
According to expectancy theory, it depends on people’s cognitive interpretations of the situation
expectancy × value theory (expectancy therory)
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)
extrinsic motivation
motivation to perform a behaviour to obtain external rewards and reinforcers, such as money, status, attention, and praise
intrinsic motivation
the motivation to perform a behaviour simply because one finds it interesting or enjoyable for its own sake
overjustification hypothesis
- 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.
need hierarchy
Maslow’s view that human needs are arranged in a progression, beginning with deficiency needs and then reaching growth needs
self-actualization
in humanistic theories, an inborn tendency to strive toward the realization of one’s full potential
self-determination theory (3)
a theory about motivation that focuses on three fundamental psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness
Competence (self-determination theory)
reflects a human need to master new challenges and perfect skills
Autonomy (self-determination theory)
(or self-determination) is satisfied when people experience their actions as a result of free choice without outside interference
Relatedness (self-determination theory)
refers to our desire to form meaningful bonds with others.
Two reasons to strive for success:
- Motive for success: positively oriented motivation
2. Fear of failure: negatively oriented motivation
achievement goal theory
a theory of achievement motivation that stresses the goals (ego versus mastery) and motivational climates that influence achievement strivings
what is achievement goal theory based on? (2)
Based on:
- individuals’ personal definition of success
- characteristics of the achievement situation
mastery orientation
Approach: master the task, learn, understand, improve
Avoidance: mistakes, misunderstanding, poor quality
performance orientation
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
mastery-approach goals
goals related to the desire to master a task and learn new knowledge and skills
performance-approach goals
behaviour is motivated by the desire to outperform others; it reflects a competitive orientation that focuses on being better than other people
mastery-avoidance goals
goals that reflect a fear of not performing up to one’s own standards
performance-avoidance goals
behaviour is motivated by the desire to avoid being outperformed by others; that is, the goal is to avoid failure
need for achievement
the desire to accomplish tasks and attain standards of excellence
High-need achievers are likely to do better than low-need achievers when: (3)
- 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
approach-approach conflict
a conflict in which an individual is simultaneously attracted to two incompatible positive goals
avoidance-avoidance conflict
a conflict in which an individual must choose between two alternatives, both of which she or he wishes to avoid
approach-avoidance conflict
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)
delay discounting
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.
