What drives us?- motivation Test 3

Question 1

What is the definition of Motivation?

Answer 1

• the study of things that put us in motion, pushing us towards some things and away from others. Derived from the latin word “to move”

Question 2

What are the two components of Motivation?

Answer 2

1) drive or arousal
2) goal-directed behaviour

Question 3

What is Freud’s theory of motivation?

Answer 3

• life and death instincts motivate and direct behaviour

Question 4

What is the instinct theory of motivation?

Answer 4

• an innate tendency to behave in a fixed way to certain stimuli
• fails to explain most human motives but, as evolutionary psychology proposes, genes can predispose some behaviours

Question 5

What is the drive-reduction theory of motivation?

Answer 5

• physiological needs/deficiencies create internal tension (ie, drive or arousal) and we are motivated to reduce that drive by satisfying that need
  -the motivation to maintain homeostasis-balance
  Summary: explains how internal states “push” us and emphasize homeostasis

Question 6

What is the definition of incentives

Answer 6

• positive or negative external stimuli that motivate behaviour. Their incentive value is learned

Question 7

What is the definition of incentives

Answer 7

• positive or negative external stimuli that motivate behaviour. Their incentive value is learned

Question 8

What is the optimal level of Arousal Theory?

Answer 8

• drive-reduction theory argues that we always want to reduce drive or arousal; this theory argues that we seek an optimal (“just right”) level of arousal.

Question 9

The relationship between arousal and performance levels

Answer 9

• As arousal increases to the optimal level, so does performance but further arousal leads to a decrease in performance.

Question 10

What are the 5 main theories of motivation?

Answer 10

1) Freud
2) Instinct theory
3)Drive-reduction theory
4) Optimal level of arousal theory
5) Zuckerman’s sensation-seeking theory

Question 11

Zuckerman’s sensation-seeking theory

Answer 11

Provides an answer for why some people are motivated to engage in risky behaviour
* believes this is due to a genetic predisposition (influenced by Eysenck)
* Argues that people with naturally low levels of arousal are motivated to “seek sensations” to elevate their arousal to a more optimal level (the opposite is true for people with naturally high levels of arousal)
* Zuckerman devised the Sensation-Seeking Scale to measure this tendency

Question 12

What are the three characteristics of high sensation-seekers:

Answer 12

A) thrill and adventure seeking (choose activities that involve physical risk)
B) experience seeking (want varied experiences such as travelling, wild parties etc)
C) uninhibited and prone to heavy drinking, drug use, gambling
D) susceptibility to boredom (low tolerance for routine but more tolerance for stress)

Question 13

What are the two types of motive

Answer 13

1) approach motive: reward to be gained by approaching the goal
2) avoidance motive: to want to avoid the goal because it’s unpleasant

Question 14

What is the definition of conflict

Answer 14

• there are 2 or more competing motives

Question 15

Types of Conflict

Answer 15

1) Approach- Approach: - 2 positive goals exist simultaneously and you must choose between both desirable choices
2) Avoidance-avoidance conflict: - 2 negative goals exist simultaneously and you must choose between both undesirable choices
- type of conflict that’s difficult to resolve and you want to just avoid making the choice
3) Approach-avoidance conflict: - one end goal has both positive and negative aspects
- eg – donuts taste good but are fattening (will you approach or avoid?)