Motivation Flashcards
What is motivation
The driving force behind behaviour
What does the strength of motivation determine?
Determines the likelihood of achieving goals
What is motivation influenced by?
Internal and external factors:
- experience
- beliefs
- physiological state
What is drive?
A state of arousal that drives behaviour
What are primary drives?
Innate needs such as food water and sex
We are focussed on things most needed for survival
What are secondary drives?
They are learned through association with primary drives
Explain the drive reduction theory
Unmet needs lead to an unpleasant internal state (we want to reduce this)
Behaviour reduces unpleasant states which leads to a drive reduction
Therefore drive reduction is pleasant and leads to drive reduction
Are there any limitations to drive reduction theory?
External stimuli can activate drives (not all internal, eg. Not hungry until smell food)
Can be motivated to behave in ways that do not reduce drives
We often engage in behaviours when drives are satisfied
Explain the arousal theory?
We are motivated to maintain an optimum level of arousal
What happens if we are too high above our optimum state of arousal
Stressed
Don’t perform well
What happens when we are below our optimum state of arousal
Bored and don’t perform well
What is the yerkes-Dodson law?
An inverted U shape relationship between arousal and performance
When arousal is too low or too high - performance is low
Different for complex and simple tasks
Explain stimulus hunger
Can occur when under aroused
A drive for stimulation
Explain approach and avoidance in relation to motivation
Approach means a predisposition towards a certain stimuli
Avoidance means a predisposition away from a certain stimuli
What is the relationship between the approach and avoidance theory
They can often be in conflict.
The closer we get to our goals, our tendencies to avoid increase
Explain the incentive theory
We are motivated by positive goals.
What are the two components to incentive theory and what do they mean
Intrinsic motivation: internal reward driven
Extrinsic motivation: external reward driven
What is an incentive?
A reward
Explain expectancy-value theory.
Motivation is influenced by both the value placed on the goal and the perceived ability to attain it
Part of the incentive theory
Explain reward pathways
System of dopamine producing neurons
Extends from the midbrain to the frontal and limbic areas, including nucleus accumbens
What role do reward pathways in motivation?
Dopamine is released when a stimulus is rewarding - this acts as a learning signal to repeat behaviours
Humanistic perspective on motivation?
Argues desire for personal growth is what motivates behaviour
Relates to Maslows hierarchy of needs
What is maslows hierarchy or needs? What order does it go in from bottom to top?
Physiological needs - safety needs- belonging needs - esteem needs -self-actualisation
Claims that the lower levels need to be fulfilled before progressing to more complex needs
Explain the hormones etc involved in increasing and decreasing hunger
Ghrelin is a hormone in the stomach that communicates with the hypothalamus to increase hunger.
cholecystokinin signals satiety and reduces appetite
Explain set point theories of eating
Claims individuals have a genetic set point or optimum level of body fat and metabolism that is maintained by homeostatic mechanisms
Homeostasis return to this set point by increasing or decreasing appetite
What are the limitations to the set point theory of eating
Does not explain obesity or eating disorders
Ignores the role of learning and psychosocial factors
Conflicts with evolutionary perspectives