Motivation

motivation

the conscious or unconscious drive, leading the behaviours that individuals initiate, direct and maintain

processes of motivation

physiological, cognitive, emotional, social

physiological motivation

motivation based on the body’s physical needs and are essential for survival

cognitive motivation

motivation in the mind involving thought processes such as curiosity, problem solving and the desire to explore personal interests

emotional motivation

emotion that arises from the desire to avoid pain and the drive to experience happiness and pleasure

social motivation

The innate need for humans to connect with others

psychological needs for motivation

autonomy, competence, relatedness

autonomy

the need to achieve greater freedom and regulation by their self, rather than by external forces

competence

the desire to master new challenges and to perfect skills and experience a sense of achievement

relatedness

the desire to form meaningful bonds with others

What does self determination theory sate that?

Human beings are inherently growth-oriented, actively seeking opportunities to satisfy fundamental psychological needs

amotivation

a person lacks both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. they are either not motivated to act, or they act without intention

extrinsic motivation

a person engages in a behaviour to achieve a separate outcome or reward

intrinsic motivation

a person is driven by the satisfaction and enjoyment of the behaviour itself

external regulation

behaviour is controlled by external rewards or punishments

introjected regulation

behaviour is controlled by internal pressures

identified regulation

a person consciously values the behaviour and sees it as personally important

integrated regulation

the behaviour is fully integrated with a person’s values, beliefs and identity

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1954, 1970)

people strive to meet their full potential and continually seek personal growth

Hierarchy

physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, cognitive, aesthetic, self-actualisation, transcendence

2 components of subjective wellbeing

life satisfaction and affective balance

life satisfaction

the overall assessment a person makes about their life and their own life experiences. These form the cognitive measure of wellbeing.

affective balance

the emotional component consisting of both positive and negative affect

Positive affect

pleasant emotions such as happiness, excitement, joy and contentment

negative affect

unpleasant emotions such as anger and sadness