Learning and cognition (Motivation)

Extension: motivation

What is motivation?

A process that gives direction/purpose to behaviour at a conscious or unconscious level

• Split into primary (e.g hunger, thirst, belonging) & secondary motives (e.g. personal desire)

What types of motivation are there?

Intrinsic: Motivation stemming from internal satisfaction and enjoyment of doing task (e.g. curiosity & passion for something)

Extrinsic: Motivation stemming from external rewards and punishments (e.g. money & grades)

How do psychologists talk about motivation?

1. Direction: What goal or behaviour set by a person

2. Intensity: How much effort is put towards the goal/behaviour

3. Persistence: How long you maintain your effort over time

What is the difference between primary and secondary motives?

Primary motives: Fundamental needs for survival and well-being

• Affection, security, and belonging

Secondary motives: Motives influenced by personal goals and desires

• Need for achievement, social recognition, and personal goals

What is the evolutionary theory of motivation?

Behaviour/motivation is driven by biological instincts that help survival and reproduction.

• States that behaviour exist today because they helped ancestors stay alive and pass genes

What is the drive-reduction theory of motivation?

Behaviour/motivation is driven by need to reduce discomfort and maintain homeostasis (a stable internal state)

What is the optimal arousal theory of motivation?

Behaviour/motivation is driven by need to maintain optimal level of arousal (level of stimulation/alert)

• Low arousal (e.g. bored) → seek stimulation

• High arousal (e.g. stressed) → reduce stimulation

• Optimal arousal (e.g. focused) → just right energy/stress level

What is Maslow’s law of hierarchy?

States: Human motivation is driven by a pyramid/set of needs

Base = basic needs

1. Psychological needs: food and warmth

2. Safety needs: Security and safety

Middle = psychological needs

3. Love & belonging needs: relationships and friends

4. Esteem needs: prestige & feeling of accomplishment

Top = Self-fulfilment needs (drive to reach full potential)

5. Self - actualisation: Achieving your full potential in something

What is the motivation continuum?

A continuum that moves from amotivation to intrinsic motivation

• Moving from moving from extrinsic → intrinsic = internalisation

Organize the components of the motivation continuum?

Amotivation → Extrinsic motivation (External, introjected, identification, integration) → Intrinsic motivation

What is amotivation in the motivation continuum (e.g.)?

Amotivation: Lack of any motivation → activity is not valued enough to do it

• E.g: 'I’m not studying because its pointless

What is extrinsic in the motivation continuum (e.g.)?

Extrinsic motivation: Behaviour/motivation driven by external rewards or avoidance of punishment

1. External regulation: Behaviour is purely driven by rewards or punishments (e.g. doing HW to avoid detention)

2. Introjected regulation: Behaviour driven by internal pressure (e.g. guilt, shame, approval)

3. Identification: Behaviour is personally important → commitment (e.g. studying because it helps future)

4. integration: Behaviour aligns with identify & values but still linked to external goals (e.g. I study because I am hardworking)

What is Intrinsic motivation in the motivation continuum (e.g.)?

Intrinsic motivation: Behaviour driven by internal enjoyment, interest, or satisfaction

E.g. Learning because you are curious