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Theories of MotivationTheories of Motivation
By the end of this lesson, By the end of this lesson, I will be able to…I will be able to…
1. Describe basic theories 1. Describe basic theories of motivation.of motivation.
2. Identify the difference 2. Identify the difference between instincts and between instincts and motivesmotives
3. Analyze the strengths 3. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each and weaknesses of each motivational theory.motivational theory.
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What Motivates You?What Motivates You?
During the school dayDuring the school day At practice (drama, At practice (drama,
sports, music, etc.)sports, music, etc.) At workAt work
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Where Do We Begin?Where Do We Begin?
MotivationMotivation – a – a psychological process psychological process that directs and maintains that directs and maintains your behavior toward a your behavior toward a goal.goal.
MotivesMotives are the needs, are the needs, wants, interests, and wants, interests, and desires that propel or desires that propel or drive people in certain drive people in certain directions.directions.
We’re talking about drives here right????
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Motivation and InstinctMotivation and Instinct MotivationMotivation
Most of the time is Most of the time is learnedlearned – we are – we are motivated by different motivated by different things.things.
InstinctInstinct complex behavior that complex behavior that
is rigidly patterned is rigidly patterned throughout a species throughout a species and is and is unlearnedunlearned
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Biological and Social MotivesBiological and Social Motives
Biological MotivesBiological Motives HungerHunger ThirstThirst SexSex SleepSleep Excretory Excretory
Social MotivesSocial Motives AchievementAchievement OrderOrder PlayPlay AutonomyAutonomy AffiliationAffiliation
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Drive Reduction Theory:Drive Reduction Theory:
Drive-Reduction TheoryDrive-Reduction Theory When individuals experience a need or drive, they’re motivated to reduce When individuals experience a need or drive, they’re motivated to reduce
that need or drive.that need or drive. Drive theories assume that people are always trying to reduce internal tension.Drive theories assume that people are always trying to reduce internal tension. Therefore, drive theories believe that the source of motivation lies within the Therefore, drive theories believe that the source of motivation lies within the
person (not from the environment)person (not from the environment)
Drive-reducingbehaviors
(eating, drinking)
Need(e.g., for
food, water)
Drive(hunger, thirst)
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Carl is stranded on a deserted island. He Carl is stranded on a deserted island. He spends his day looking for fresh water. His spends his day looking for fresh water. His desiredesire to find water would be considered a: to find water would be considered a:
Driv
e
Nee
d
Wan
t
Driv
e re
ductio
...
Both
1 a
nd 2
0% 0% 0%0%0%
1.1. DriveDrive
2.2. NeedNeed
3.3. WantWant
4.4. Drive reduction Drive reduction traittrait
5.5. Both 1 and 2Both 1 and 2
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MotivationMotivation A A DriveDrive is an internal state of is an internal state of
tension that motivates us to tension that motivates us to engage in activities that engage in activities that reduce this tension.reduce this tension.
Our bodies strive to keep Our bodies strive to keep somewhat constant.somewhat constant.
HomeostasisHomeostasis Sometimes we HAVE to Sometimes we HAVE to
reduce the drive (dying of reduce the drive (dying of thirst, hunger, etc.) – we might thirst, hunger, etc.) – we might not have a choice.not have a choice.
IncentiveIncentive These can lead us to make These can lead us to make
choices different than what we choices different than what we may normally make.may normally make.
ExampleExample – Money, Power, – Money, Power, etc.etc.
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Drive Reduction Theory Tested:Drive Reduction Theory Tested:
Drive reduction theoryDrive reduction theory has some implications.has some implications.
Have you ever eaten Have you ever eaten when you weren’t when you weren’t hungry?hungry?
What about a person that What about a person that excessively works out?excessively works out?
How do we account for How do we account for other motivating factors other motivating factors like: achievement, power, like: achievement, power, and curiosity?and curiosity?
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Incentive Theories:Incentive Theories: Again, an Again, an incentive incentive has an has an
ability to motivate behavior.ability to motivate behavior. Push vs. Pull theoryPush vs. Pull theory – – 1. Internal states of tension 1. Internal states of tension
pushpush people certain people certain directions.directions.
2. External stimuli 2. External stimuli pullpull people people in certain directions.in certain directions.
According to incentive theory, According to incentive theory, motivation comes from the motivation comes from the environment around you.environment around you.
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So… What is the difference between drive So… What is the difference between drive theory and incentive theory?theory and incentive theory?
Drive theoryDrive theory – – Biological internal Biological internal motivation motivation (homeostasis)(homeostasis)
Incentive theoryIncentive theory – – Environmental Environmental motivation (not as motivation (not as much homeostasis, much homeostasis, more outside factors)more outside factors)
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When asked why he wants to become a doctor, Tom says, “Because When asked why he wants to become a doctor, Tom says, “Because I’ve always liked biology and being a doctor will allow me to make a I’ve always liked biology and being a doctor will allow me to make a
good salary to take care of my family.” His answer is most consistent good salary to take care of my family.” His answer is most consistent with which of the following theories of motivation?with which of the following theories of motivation?
Driv
e Red
uctio
...
Ince
ntive
Hie
rarc
hy o
f N...
Aro
usal
Inst
inct
0% 0% 0%0%0%
1.1. Drive ReductionDrive Reduction
2.2. IncentiveIncentive
3.3. Hierarchy of Hierarchy of NeedsNeeds
4.4. ArousalArousal
5.5. InstinctInstinct
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Arousal Theory:Arousal Theory: ArousalArousal – level of alertness, – level of alertness,
wakefulness, and activation wakefulness, and activation caused by activity in the CNS.caused by activity in the CNS.
The optimal level of arousal The optimal level of arousal varies with the person and the varies with the person and the activity.activity.
Yerkes-Dodson LawYerkes-Dodson Law – We – We usually perform most activities usually perform most activities best when we are moderately best when we are moderately aroused. aroused.
ChallengeChallenge – moderately low – moderately low levellevel
EasyEasy – moderately high level – moderately high level The law also states that we The law also states that we
perform worse when arousal is perform worse when arousal is either to low or too high.either to low or too high.
Think about sports or driving a Think about sports or driving a carcar
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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: DebateDebate
Maslow says lower needs Maslow says lower needs must be met before you can must be met before you can continue up the pyramidcontinue up the pyramid
Do we always place out Do we always place out highest priority on meeting highest priority on meeting lower-level needs?lower-level needs?
Examples:Examples: 1. Political activists go on 1. Political activists go on
hunger strikeshunger strikes 2. Soldiers sacrifice their lives2. Soldiers sacrifice their lives 3. Parents go without food in 3. Parents go without food in
order to feed their childrenorder to feed their children Lastly – scientific evidence Lastly – scientific evidence
does not support Maslow’s does not support Maslow’s theory.theory.
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According to the Yerkes-Dodson model, when facing a According to the Yerkes-Dodson model, when facing a difficult challenge, which level of arousal would probably difficult challenge, which level of arousal would probably
lead to the best outcome?lead to the best outcome?
A v
ery
low le
v...
A m
oder
atel
y l..
.
A m
oder
ate
lev.
..
A m
oder
atel
y h...
A v
ery
high
le...
0% 0% 0%0%0%
1.1. A very low levelA very low level
2.2. A moderately low A moderately low levellevel
3.3. A moderate levelA moderate level
4.4. A moderately high A moderately high levellevel
5.5. A very high levelA very high level
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Which of the following theories do Which of the following theories do you agree with most?you agree with most?
Driv
e Red
uctio
...
Push
/Pul
l Ince
...
Aro
usal T
heory
0% 0%0%
1.1. Drive Reduction Drive Reduction TheoryTheory
2.2. Push/Pull Push/Pull Incentive TheoryIncentive Theory
3.3. Arousal TheoryArousal Theory
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