Motivation and WorkMotivation and Work

Motivation…..the connection between Motivation…..the connection between nature (our physiological “push,”) and nature (our physiological “push,”) and

nurture (the cognitive and cultural nurture (the cognitive and cultural “pulls.”)“pulls.”)

What’s my motivation???What’s my motivation???

What is YOUR motivation?What is YOUR motivation?

– What causes you to do things?What causes you to do things?

Perspective and MotivationPerspective and Motivation

Motivation: A need or desire that energizes Motivation: A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior. and directs behavior.

Motivation is derived from four psychological Motivation is derived from four psychological perspectives.perspectives.– Instinct TheoryInstinct Theory– Drive-Reduction TheoryDrive-Reduction Theory– Arousal TheoryArousal Theory– Hierarchy of Needs Theory Hierarchy of Needs Theory

1. Instinct Theory1. Instinct Theory

Behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout Behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned.a species and is unlearned.

To be considered “instinct,” behavior must To be considered “instinct,” behavior must have a fixed pattern throughout a species have a fixed pattern throughout a species and must be unlearned.and must be unlearned.– Examples: Examples:

Infants rooting/suckingInfants rooting/sucking

2. Drive-Reduction Theory2. Drive-Reduction Theory Replaced “Instinct Theory”Replaced “Instinct Theory”

Definition: A physiological need creates an aroused state Definition: A physiological need creates an aroused state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need.(a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need.

The goal of Instinct theory is “homeostasis.”The goal of Instinct theory is “homeostasis.”

Example: We become dehydrated, so our body creates an Example: We become dehydrated, so our body creates an “aroused state” or drive for water. This motivates us to “aroused state” or drive for water. This motivates us to take a drink (drive-reducing behavior). The goal is to take a drink (drive-reducing behavior). The goal is to achieve homeostasis.achieve homeostasis.

3. Arousal / Optimum Arousal 3. Arousal / Optimum Arousal TheoryTheory

Basically this theory just states the fact that Basically this theory just states the fact that sometimes we do things because we are curious.sometimes we do things because we are curious.

The question would be “why did you touch that?”The question would be “why did you touch that?”– The answer would be “because it was there.”The answer would be “because it was there.”

We are all fascinated by things we’ve never seen, touched, or We are all fascinated by things we’ve never seen, touched, or smelled before. It is human nature to explore the unknown.smelled before. It is human nature to explore the unknown.

4. Hierarchy of Needs Theory4. Hierarchy of Needs Theory

Remember this one……..Maslow??Remember this one……..Maslow??– Once our lower-level needs are met, we are Once our lower-level needs are met, we are

prompted to satisfy our higher-level needs. prompted to satisfy our higher-level needs.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Let’s Take a Closer Look (at Let’s Take a Closer Look (at Maslow)…Maslow)…

Hunger: How can starvation drive us to Hunger: How can starvation drive us to behave in certain ways? behave in certain ways? – What about thirst?What about thirst?

Research on HungerResearch on Hunger

When people are fed very little, their body goes When people are fed very little, their body goes into “starvation mood.” It begins to store fat, into “starvation mood.” It begins to store fat, conserve energy, and loose muscle tone as the conserve energy, and loose muscle tone as the body literally “eats” the muscle to maintain itself.body literally “eats” the muscle to maintain itself.

– Behaviors: Behaviors: Obsession with food (talk about it, dream about it)Obsession with food (talk about it, dream about it) Lost interest in sex and social activitiesLost interest in sex and social activities They became preoccupied with their unfulfilled basic need to They became preoccupied with their unfulfilled basic need to

eat.eat.

The Psychology of HungerThe Psychology of Hunger

We know our body naturally triggers our We know our body naturally triggers our desire to eat but what about our mind?desire to eat but what about our mind?

Environmental factors play a huge role on Environmental factors play a huge role on when, how and what we eat.when, how and what we eat.– When feeling tense or depressed, we crave When feeling tense or depressed, we crave

starchy carbs (because carbs help boost levels starchy carbs (because carbs help boost levels of serotonin which brings a calming effect.of serotonin which brings a calming effect.

More on HungerMore on Hunger Many of our taste preferences are conditioned.Many of our taste preferences are conditioned.

If you grow up in a “salt it” home, you will continue If you grow up in a “salt it” home, you will continue to use salt.to use salt.

Food aversionsFood aversions

Some cultures enjoy eating camel eyes. Our Some cultures enjoy eating camel eyes. Our culture turns their nose up at the idea of eating culture turns their nose up at the idea of eating dog, rat, and horse meat.dog, rat, and horse meat.

HungerHunger

But as with anything else, with repeated But as with anything else, with repeated exposure we tend to grow more fond of exposure we tend to grow more fond of certain things.certain things.

– What other foods are an acquired taste?What other foods are an acquired taste?

– Also, with repeated exposure to new foods, we Also, with repeated exposure to new foods, we tend to be more open to even others.tend to be more open to even others.

Eating DisordersEating Disorders

As with the way we eat, society also has a As with the way we eat, society also has a major influence on eating disorders.major influence on eating disorders.

– Anorexia (always begins as a weight-loss diet) Anorexia (always begins as a weight-loss diet)

– Bulimia (usually occurs for the first time when a Bulimia (usually occurs for the first time when a dieter has broken restrictions and gorged).dieter has broken restrictions and gorged).

– Usually hereditary (mom/dad is obsessed).Usually hereditary (mom/dad is obsessed).