Unit 6: Motivation theories Flashcards
Which perspectives are there on motivational theories?
biological
behavioural
cognitive
Which are the perspectives that receive the most attention now?
biological
cognitive
What do biological theories focus on?
understanding the organic bases that underlie motivation and behaviour
What does the concept of natural selection state?
individuals with genetic characteristics that allow them to better interact with the environment are more likely to survive and transmit those characteristics
Is the environment a force to which every individual has to adapt to to survive?
yes
How do organisms act on the environment? (purpose)
in ways that increase chances of survival and reproduction
What does the theory of use and disuse state?
body parts and functions tend to be maintained and developed if theyre used
tend to fade away if they are not used
Do evolutionary theories accept learning as a way beings adapt to the circumstances?
yes
What’s ethology?
branch of biology
studies biological aspects of individuals in natural environment
Which phases can instinctive behaviours be divided into?
appetitive phase
consummatory phase
Appetitive phase
approach or search phase
series of actions carried out to acheive goal (get closer to stimulus)
consummatory phase
execution phase
execution of behavioral patterns that materialize instinctive behaviour
can be specific to species (e.g. drinking of elephant vs cat)
What does Lorenz’ hydraulic model state?
after accumulating energy, probability of behaviour appearing increases
the more energy the lower the response threshold
-> you act for no reason other than to use energy
What is homeostasis?
dynamic balance that continually adjusts internal states to external changes
-> survival depends on this balance
Peripheral theories
phyiscal signals of body coming from organs influence behaviour
central theories
highlight function of brain in regulating homeostasis and motivation
What’s activation?
process occuring in the when the body needs to carry out important activities
Which types of activation are there?
physiological
cognitive
motor
physiological activation
activity of sympathetic nervous system and some glands and viscera
cognitive activation
analysis of significance of the stimulus
influences decision-making
motor activation
when decision made: body physically prepares to carry it out
What plays a fundamental role in the regulation of attention and activation?
reticular-limbic-cortical formation
What does the dorsal area of the frontal lobes do?
processes coordinates motor activation
What was Thorndike’s suggestion?
the consequences of a response influence the probability of its occurrence in the future
-> based on positive or negative consequences
What is motivation defined as?
the forces that act on or within an organism to initiate or direct its behavior
What does impulse theory state?
human behavior is driven by internal energy that arises from needs
-> motivates to seek ways to satisfy needs and reduce drive
In the context of impulses, what did Woodworth clarify?
Magnitude of the impulse: strength of the response
Dimensions of approach: how we respond can vary depending on situation or individual circumstances
Continuity of behavior: impulses drive behavior until need is satisfied
What are incentives?
goal objects that motivate behavior
-> drive us to or distance us from them
-> different values for different individuals or different times for same individual
=> generators of energy, emotions and carriers of information
What did Pavlov prove?
through the association of stimuli, a neutral stimulus can acquire the potential character of motivation
What types of reinforcement and punishment are there?
positive reinforcement
negative reinforcement
positive punishment
negative punishment
reinforcement
motivating role
-> increases likelihood of behavior occurring
-> the greater the reinforcement the higher the chance of behavior increasing
Vicarious reinforcement
observing consequences of model’s behavior can influence probability of occurrence of own behavior in the future
What did Premack propose?
reinforcements are associated with consummatory responses
How are stimuli analysed and interpreted according to the cognitive perspective?
via perceptual. attentional, emotional and memory processes
Who proved that animals dont only learn associations between stimuli and responses, but also develop knowledge of the environment?
Edward C. Tolman
latent learning
learning can occur without necessarily demonstrating behaviour immediately
