PSYCHOLOGY

Chapter 6

Motivation

Motivation

Motivation a need or desire that

energizes and directs behavior

Instinct complex behavior that is

rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned

Ethology

1. Charles Darwin: theory of evolution*all species of animals are relatedBehaviors can be distinguished or

compared*humans are members of complex

species, rather than different from animals

Species-specific behavior

Freud

#1 motivator is SEXAll humans have two sets of instincts1. Eros: life2. Thanatos: death

Both are unconscious drives that motivate us

Motivation Drive-Reduction Theory

the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need

Drive-reducingbehaviors

(eating, drinking)

Need(e.g., for

food, water)

Drive(hunger, thirst)

Motivation

Homeostasis tendency to maintain a balanced or

constant internal state regulation of any aspect of body

chemistry around a particular level Incentive

a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior

Motivation-Hunger

Stomach contractions accompany our feelings of hunger

Motivation-Hunger

Glucose the form of sugar that

circulates in the blood provides the major source of

energy for body tissues when its level is low, we feel

hunger

Motivation-Hunger

Set Point the point at which an individual’s

“weight thermostat” is supposedly set

when the body falls below this weight, an increase in hunger and a lowered metabolic rate may act to restore the lost weight

Basal Metabolic Rate body’s base rate of energy

expenditure

Motivation-Hunger

The hypothalamus controls eating and other body maintenance functions

Motivation-Hunger

Women’s Body Images

Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa when a normal-weight person diets and

becomes significantly (>15%) underweight, yet, still feeling fat, continues to starve

usually an adolescent female Bulimia Nervosa

disorder characterized by episodes of overeating, usually of high-calorie foods, followed by vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise

Motivation at Work

Structured Interview process that asks the same job-

relevant questions of all applicants rated on established scales

Achievement Motivation a desire for significant

accomplishment for mastery of things, people, or

ideas for attaining a high standard

Measuring Achievement

David McClelland: 1953 quantitative way to measure social motivation

TAT: Thematic Apperception Test, series of picture prompts, no right or wrong answers, looks at the takers on motives, beliefs and morals High score- story contained achievement and unique accomplishments

Not everyone is high achiever: they want to be only around experts who will help them, not socially correct or value intimacy with others

Fear of Success

Matina Horner (1970, 1972) Achievement in females89 men and 90 women… asked After first

term finals, John finds himself at the top of his Medical class. Then substituted John for Ann. 90% wrote success stories, 65% women wrote doom

Most women are motivated to avoid success in mostly male occupations

Very hard to define success later studies find

Other theories

JW Atkinson-expectancy-value : estimated likely hood of success and what is it worth to you

Competency theory: learn from harder tasks rather than easier ones. (McClelland)

Motivation

Internal Sources

Biological Needs

Drive

Social Motives

External Sources

Incentives