Motivation Flashcards
Motivation
defined as the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.
3 components of motivation
1.Activation: the decision to initiate a behavior
- Persistence: the continued effort toward a goal even though obstacles may exist. .
- Intensity: can be seen in the concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal.
Instinct theory of motivation
- behaviors are motivated by instincts, which are fixed and inborn patterns of behavior.
- William James, Sigmund Freud, and William McDougal
Drives and needs
Drive theory suggests that people have basic biological drives and that your behaviors are motivated by the need to fulfill these drives.
Arousal theory of motivation
-suggests that people are motivated to engage in behaviors that help them maintain their optimal level of arousal.
Extrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivations are those that arise from outside of the individual and often involve rewards such as trophies, money, social recognition, or praise
Intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivations are those that arise from within the individual, such as doing a complicated crossword puzzle purely for the personal gratification of solving a problem.
Drive reduction theory
- Hull and Spence
-the reduction of drives is the primary force behind motivation.
Hull used the term drive to refer to the state of tension or arousal caused by biological or physiological needs. Thirst, hunger, and the need for warmth are all examples of drives. A drive creates an unpleasant state, a tension that needs to be reduced.
The reduction of the drive acts as a reinforcement for that behavior.
Homeostasis
-the idea that the body actively works to maintain a certain state of balance or equilibrium
primary drives
Primary drives are innate drives (e.g. thirst, hunger, and sex)
secondary drives
secondary drives are learned by conditioning (e.g. money).
Hypothalamic neurocircuits
midbrain dopaminergic reward system and hypothalamic neurocircuits governing hunger and satiety- the reward system and hunger system
Glucose theory
Glucose theory states that we feel hungry when our blood glucose level is low. Bash (as cited in Franken, 1994) conducted an experiment transfusing blood from a satiated dog to a starved dog. The transfusion resulted in termination of stomach contraction in the starved dog, and supported the glucose theory.
Insulin theory
Insulin theory states that we feel hungry when our insulin level increases suddenly in our bodies (Heller, & Heller, 1991)
Fatty acid theory
Fatty acid theory states that our bodies have receptors that detect an increase in the level of fatty acid. Activation of the receptor for fatty acid triggers hunger (Dole, 1956, Klein et al., 1960 cited in Franken, 1994)
Heat production theory
Heat-Production theory suggested by Brobeck (as cited in Franken, 1994) states that we feel hungry when our body temperature drops, and when it rises, the hunger decreases. This might be explain that we tend to eat more during winter.
Satiety
There are two mechanisms for satiety. One is at the brain level, the other is at the gastrointestinal tract level.
Hypothalamus
The Ventromedial Nuclei gives a signal when to stop eating, and the Lateral hypothalamus gives a signal to start eating (e.g.,Coon 1995). We feel satiety at the brain level because of the function of the Ventromedial Nuclei.
Optimization theory
ssessing the success of a behavior. It attempts to identify behavioral strategies that offer the highest return under a given set of conditions using a cost/benefit analysis.
Optimization theory states that individuals would be motivated to adopt strategies that allow them to consume the most energy (e.g., to maximize their food intake) while expending the least amount of energy (e.g., to minimize their exercise output).
Maslow’s hierachy of needs
Top: self actualisation Esteem Love/belonging Safety Bottom:Physiological In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, higher levels of needs can only be pursued when the lower levels are fulfilled.
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Our levels of arousal can influence our performance
The law states that increased levels of arousal will improve performance, but only up until the optimum arousal level is reached. At that point, performance begins to suffer as arousal levels increase.
Reward system
Arousal theory proposes that motivation is strongly linked to biological factors that control reward sensitivity and goal-driven behavior. Reward sensitivity is located in the mesolimbic dopamine system.
Temperment
Temperament is defined as an individual’s basic way of interacting and includes aspects like frustration tolerance (i.e., the ability to withstand frustrating situations without getting upset), delay of gratification, and inhibition vs. impulsivity.
Incentive theory
Incentive theory is based on the idea that behavior is primarily extrinsically motivated. It argues that people are more motivated to perform activities if they receive a reward afterward, rather than simply because they enjoy the activities themselves.
Acheivement approach to motivation
-the need for achievement drives accomplishment and performance and thereby motivates our behavior. People are motivated by different goals related to achievement, such as mastery or performance goals.
Cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person experiences conflict, contradiction, or inconsistency in their cognitions. These contradictory cognitions may be attitudes, beliefs, or awareness of one’s behavior. Dissonance is strongest when a discrepancy has been noticed between one’s self-concept and one’s behavior.
Temporal motivation theory
Temporal motivation theory (TMT) emphasizes the impact of time, and particularly deadlines, on the allocation of attention to particular tasks.
TMT argues that the perceived usefulness and benefit of an activity increases exponentially as the deadline for completing nears. It is particularly useful for understanding human behaviors like procrastination and goal setting.
Achievement approach
According to the achievement approach to motivation, the need for achievement drives accomplishment and performance and thereby motivates our behavior. People are motivated by different goals related to achievement, such as mastery or performance goals.
