Unit 1: Motivation

Question 1

What does the study of motivation require?

Answer 1

objective evidence based on empirical data
-> obtained through reviewed research

Question 2

What is the objective of a “theory of motivation”?

Answer 2

to explain motivational processes and how they work to energize and direct behaviour

Question 3

How can motivation at its core be described in a simple way?

Answer 3

desire for change in oneself or environment

Question 4

How can the desire for change manifest itself?

Answer 4

Changing:
- behaviour
- thoughts
- feelings
- self-concept
- environment
- relationship dynamics

Question 5

What does the motivational science rely on?(methods)

Answer 5

emprical methods:
- testable hypothesis
- operational definitions
- observational methods: objective statistical analysis

Question 6

What does motivational science reject?

Answer 6

non-scientific sources
concepts without supportive empirical evidence

Question 7

What is important in motivational science? (regarding the nature of testing and theories)

Answer 7

Continual testing against new findings
need to improve useful concepts and discover new ones

Question 8

What does a theory aim to do?

Answer 8

organise knowledge to:
- describe
- understand
- explain
phenomena
=> answer ‘why’ questions on behaviour, thoughts and feelings

Question 9

What does a good theory do?

Answer 9

identify and explain relationships among observable phenomena (e.g. causes and effects of achievement motivation)

Question 10

What are the fundamental questions the study of motivation tries to answer?

Answer 10

What causes behaviour?
Why does behaviour vary in its intensity?

Question 11

What are the most popular theories people embrace about motivation?

Answer 11

Self-esteem and praise
Incentives and rewards

Question 12

Self-esteem

Answer 12

widely believed to drive good outcomes
evidence shows its a result of life’s success (not cause)
=> effect reflecting life’s circumstances

Question 13

Incentives and rewards

Answer 13

seemingly effective
can undermine intrinsic motivation
focus on compliance rather than genuine engagement

Question 14

Which internal processes does the study of motivation focus on?

Answer 14

Those that give behaviour:
- energy: strength, intensity & resilience
- direction: purpose and goal
- persistence: endurance over time and across situations

Question 15

Motive

Answer 15

Internal process that energises, driects and sustains behaviour

Question 16

Internal motives

Answer 16

Needs
Cognitions
Emotions

Question 17

Needs

Answer 17

essential conditions for life maintenance and well-being
generate wants, desires and strivings
Primary needs: physiological
Secondary needs: Psychological and social

Question 18

Cognitions

Answer 18

mental events like thoughts, beliefs and self-concept
influence motivation by shaping way of thinking and approach to tasks
Cognitive motivation includes e.g. plans, mindsets and beliefs

Question 19

Emotions

Answer 19

reactions to significant life events
create adaptive responses to challenges, threats and opportunities
prepare for and cope with circumstances

Question 20

What are the 4 components of emotions?

Answer 20

Feelings: subjective, verbal descriptions of emotional experience
Arousal: Bodily mobilisation to cope with situational demands
Purpose: Motivational urge to accomplish something specific at that moment
Expression: nonverbal communication of emotional experience

Question 21

What are external events and what do they include?

Answer 21

environmental, social and cultural offerings affecting internal motives
include specific unattractive and attractive stimuli and events

Question 22

What do social contexts include?

Answer 22

general sitations (e.g. classroom)

Question 23

Is motivation observable?

Answer 23

No
-> private unobservable experience

Question 24

What are 5 tell tales to know motivation?

Answer 24

Behaviour
Engagement
Psychophysiology
Brain activations
Self-report

Question 25

Engagement

Answer 25

complex, multidimensional construct involves how deeply involved a person is in a task
- behavioral
- emotional
- cognitive
- agentic

Question 26

Psychophysiology

Answer 26

Process by which psychological states produce changes in physiology
Study of interaction between bodily and mental states

Question 27

What are advantages and disadvantages of self-reports

Answer 27

Advantages:
directly assesses individual perceptions
easily administered
can target specific motivational aspects

Disadvantages:
discrepancy between reported motivations and behaviour
inconsistency between stated feelings and physiological indicators