Psychology - Motivation and Emotion

Motivation

The process by which activities are started, directed, or continue to meet physical or psychological needs are fulfilled

Motives

Needs or desires that energize and direct behavior towards a goal

Biological motives

Unlearned motives
Hunger, sleep

Stimulus motives

Causes an increase in Stimulation, such as curiosity

Social motives

Learned motives
Includes cultural expectation

Intrinsic motivation

Self -motivation or internally rewarding
Makes you happy emotionally.

Extrinsic motivation

Outcome is separate from or external to person
Getting a reward

Instincts

The biologically determined and innate patterns of behavior that exist in both people and animals

Need

A requirement of some material essential for survival

Drive

There is a need
When you desperately want something
Physical

Drive-reduction

To satisfy and reduce tension and arousal
Psychological

Primary drives

Involves survival needs of the body, such as hunger or thirst

Acquired drive (secondary)

Learned through experience or conditioning, such as the need for money or social approval

Homeostasis

Tendency of the body to maintain a healthy state

David McClelland’s Theory

nAff: Need for affiliation
Need for social interactions

nPow: Need for power
Need to have control

nAch: Need for achievement
Desire to attain realistic goals

Carol Dweck’s Theory

View of self
Beliefs about one’s own abilities

Locus of control

Concept representing an individual's belief system regarding the causes of their experiences and life outcomes

Internal locus control

Those who believe they have control over their own lives

External locus of control

Those who feel their lives are controlled by others

Beliefs about intelligence

Fixed vs Changeable

Thematic Apperception Test

The need to achieve can be measure by responses to the TAT

Arousal theory

People have a optimal level of tension that they seek to maintain by increasing or decreasing non-arousal

Sensation seeker

Those who need more arousal

Arousal

A state of alertness and mental and physical motivation

Incentive

An external stimulus that motivated behavior

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological needs: hungry
Safety needs: feel secure and safe
Belonging needs: to be with others
Esteem needs: to gain approval
Cognitive needs: to understand
Aesthetic needs: to look good
Self-actualization needs: to find self fulfillment and realize ones potential

Self-Determination theory

When three goals are met: autonomy, competence, relatedness

Individualistic culture

Stressing the needs of the individual over the group

Collective cultures

Those that stress social ties