Motivation and wellbeing flashcards

flashcards psych atar unit 4

Motivation

A conscious or unconscious force that drives or directs behaviour.

Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985)

Proposes that people are inherently motivated by satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness rather than solely by external rewards.

What increases autonomy?

• When given choice

• Able to govern their own behaviour

• Other people acknowledge your feelings

What increases competence?

• Positive feedback

• Task is challenging but not overwhelming

What increases relatedness?

• Feelings respected + cared for by others

• Part of an inclusive environment

What decreases intrinsic motivation?

• Feel controlled

• Operate according to deadlines

• Tangible rewards diminish intrinsic motivation

• Negative feedback, task is too challenging

• Competition with others, cliques, criticism

Strengths of Self-Determination Theory

• 3 psychological needs for motivation widely applicable across cultures and contexts

• Explains existence of intrinsic motivation

Criticisms of Self-Determination Theory

• Strong emphasis on autonomy downplays the influence external rewards can have on motivation

• Complex theory – difficult to apply, hard to measure

Real-world application of Self-Determination Theory in education

Educators want to foster environment that allows students to achieve autonomy, relatedness and competence.
Give students choice in what/how they learn, present meaningful challenges, encourage development of positive relationships.
Will allow for strong self-determination, intrinsic motivation + improve wellbeing.

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1954, 1970)

Proposed a broad motivational model based on a hierarchy of human needs.
Our behaviour is influenced by whatever need we are trying to satisfy.

Levels of Maslow’s original hierarchy (bottom to top)

• Physiological

• Safety

• Love and Belongingness

• Esteem

• Self-actualisation

What are physiological needs?

Behaviour is driven by a need for biological survival (air, food, shelter)

What are safety needs?

Seek stability, predictability and control in life
Includes financial security, emotional security, freedom from fear, health care

What are love and belongingness needs?

We seek to love and be loved, both romantically and platonically
Receiving love: feeling worthy, accepted, part of a group
Giving love: feelings of affection towards others

What are esteem needs?

Need to feel good about ourselves and be valued by others
Self-esteem: feeling capable
Respect from others: receiving recognition

What is self-actualisation?

Need to achieve our potential (seeking personal growth or peak experiences)
Satisfying this need leads to positive well-being

Expanded hierarchy of needs (1970)

• Cognitive needs

• Aesthetic needs

• Transcendence

Define cognitive, aesthetic, and transcendence needs

Cognitive – Desire to gain knowledge through curiosity
Aesthetic – Need for appreciation + search for beauty, balance + form
Transcendence – Go beyond ourselves to connect with higher reality/purpose

Key ideas about Maslow’s hierarchy

• Order may vary between individuals

• Needs not mutually exclusive

• We can be driven by multiple needs at a time

• Needs are fluid and partially satisfied

Characteristics of a self-actualised person

Self awareness, acceptance of self and others, autonomy and independence, personal growth + fulfilment, deep + meaningful relationships, reality centred, problem centred, creativity, comfort with solitude,

What are growth needs

Needs that, once met, act as a motivator for people to continue fulfilling

What are deficiency needs

Basic needs people are motivated to fill due to their absence

What are the three psychological needs for motivation according to Self-Determination Theory?

• Autonomy

• Competence

• Relatedness

Strengths of Maslow’s Theory

• Focused on healthy human psychological development

• Supported by research (e.g. transcendental meditation linked to growth)

Criticisms of Maslow’s Theory

• Small, selective sample

• Pyramid oversimplifies human behaviour

Application of Maslow in education

Educational programs use bottom-up approach to help students meet lower levels of hierarchy
(e.g. tired/hungry students are unlikely to learn effectively)

What is subjective wellbeing (Diener, 1984)?

Subjective: how people perceive it themselves
Focuses on personal evaluation of life satisfaction and emotional experiences

Components of Diener’s model of wellbeing

• Life satisfaction (cognitive)

• Affective balance (emotional)

  • frequent positive affect

  • infrequent negative affect

Strengths of Diener’s wellbeing model

• Applicable across cultures

• Holistic approach with 3 components

Criticisms of Diener’s wellbeing model

• Doesn’t consider external factors (e.g. finances)

• Self-report bias in responses

Application of Diener’s model to public health

Measure wellbeing before and after initiatives via surveys
Longitudinal study design

External factors affecting subjective wellbeing

• Personality (extroversion)

• Health

• Wealth (context matters)

• Quality of social connections

• Parenting (short term vs long term)

• Leisure activities

Six-Factor Model of Wellbeing (Ryff, 1989)

• Self-acceptance

• Environmental mastery

• Autonomy

• Personal growth

• Positive relations with others

• Purpose in life

Strengths of Ryff’s wellbeing model

• More detailed than earlier models

• Supported by Psychological Wellbeing Scale (PWB)

Criticisms of Ryff’s model

• Omits financial and other external factors

• Minimal consideration for coping with hardship