Psyc 106 Motivation

Motivation

a condition inside us that desires a change (in the self or environment)

• energy, direction, and persistence (3 key words)

Behavior examples

• eating (get up to eat), gets you to move

• studying

Importance of motivation

• we need a little bit of stress to behave

• provides insights into what we want and desire, why we want what we want, and how we can improve our lives

Motivation Science

• to answer questions it requires objective, data-driven, empirical evidence gained from well conducted and peer reviewed research findings

• we develop theories to understand

What causes behavior?

motivation exists as a scientific field to identify those hidden causes of behavior

• what made you want to change your behavior

why does behavior vary in its intensity?

• basic motivations

• intensity varies within and across individuals

study of motivation

concerns those internal process that gives behavior its energy, direction, and persistence

energy

implies that behavior has strength

direction

implies that behavior has purpose

persistence

implies that behavior has endurance

internal motives

• need “i need to get warmer” conditions within the individual that are essential and necessary for the maintenance of life, growth, and well-being

• cognition “go get a jacket” mental events such as

• emotions

engagement

how actively involved a person is in a task

self report

interview/questionnaire

direct/indirect