U4. Motivation

PSYCHOLOGY

Motivation

Refers to the psychological and physiological factors that account the arousal, direction and persistence of behavior

How many theories of Motivation are?

Its divided in Biological and Cognitive

Cognitive Theory: Cognitive consistency theory

People are motivated to maintain consistency between their thoughts and behaviors

Cognitive Dissonance

Mental discomfort we feel when our thoughts, beliefs, or actions contradict each other and because this discomfort is unpleasant, we try to resolve it.

Incentive

We learn to associate some stimuli with rewards and other with punishment altering our behavior.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self-actualization, Esteem needs, social needs, safety needs and physiological needs

Biological Theories: Instinct Theory

All organisms are born with certain tendencies designed to help them survive. We are motivated by inborn automated behaviors, which appear in the form of reflexes.

Drive reduction theory

Our behavior is motivated by the need to reduce “drives” or physiological imbalances. It is based on the idea of homeostasis, need to maintain a steady state.

Primary (physiological need) and secondary drives (learned needs)

Arousal Theory

People are driven to perform actions in order to maintain an optimum level of physiological arousal. Basically we are motivated to avoid boredom and stress.

Specific Motives

Hunger, sex, achievement, belonging

Hunger:

Is related to the concentration of glucose in the blood. This explains the presence of eating disorders.

Sex:

Considered a primary drive (unlearned and physiological). Biological factors such as hormones.

Achievement

Manipulation of the environment (within social accepted rules) to attain desired goals.