Motivation Flashcards
Define “motivation”
“…the factors that influence the initiation, direction, intensity, and persistence of behaviour” (Bernstein et al., 2012, p. 413)
It questions why we engage in certain behaviours.
4 major factors of motivation.
1) physiological factors: food, water, sex
2) cognitive factors: perceptions of the world and what can/cannot be done
3) social factors: influence of friends, family, sociocultural forces
4) emotional factors: anxiety, rage, sorrow
Describe Yerkes-Dodson law.
The more complex the task, the lower the optimal arousal level. Thus, even a moderate level of arousal can disrupt performance on a highly complex mental or motor task.
What is “drive reduction theory” based on?
Homeostasis. Drives can lead to behaviours that increase or decrease arousal levels.
Involves primary drives, secondary drives.
Describe “incentive theory” as a “motivation”
A positive or negative environmental stimulus that can motivate behaviour.
What is the difference between “wanting” or “liking” something in Inventive theory? Which is more powerful in fueling motivation?
Wanting = being attracted to an incentive
Liking = evaluation of how pleasurable a stimulus is.
Wanting is often more powerful than liking.
What happens when your lateral hypothalamus get damaged, what in your satiety changes?
You will have a diminishing ability to wanting to eat.
Also affect sexual activity in the same way.
What happens when your ventromedial hypothalamus get damaged, what in your satiety changes?
You will have a diminishing ability to not wanting to eat.
What is “intrinsic motivation” in achievement motivation?
Obtaining a sense of internalised satisfaction. Idea of ‘flow’ = losing track of time cos you’re so engaged and enjoying the behaviour.
What is “extrinsic motivation” in achievement motivation?
Obtaining external rewards. Associated with more pressure, tension, that relates to performance and well-being.
What does the studies conducted by Deci observes about intrinsic motivation?
Participants perform better when there is no monetary incentive.
Though meta-analysis results say otherwise and there’s no influence on external rewards on intrinsic motivation. Verbal rewards actually improve intrinsic motivation in some cases.
What does Cognitive Evaluation Theory (Deci and Ryan) says about the nature of reward in influencing intrinsic motivation?
It is detrimental if it is controlling, it is not if it is just informative.
What does Self-determination Theory (Deci & Ryan) says about the factors of intrinsic motivation?
Can be representative of a task that’s intrinsic motivated if it makes you feel competence, relatable and promote autonomy.
What kind of tasks fulfil someone with high need of achievement?
- require planning
- individual responsibility for outcome
- clear performance feedback
- moderate difficulty or risk
What kind of tasks fulfil someone with low need for achievement?
Too easy or overwhelmingly difficult
