psych test 3 - motivation

motivation

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

the 4 sources of motivation

physiological, cognitions, emotional + social

physiological motivation

• biological needs necessary for survival such as thirst.

• when these needs are unmet, the body creates an internal state of tension that motivates people to restore the balance

cognitive motivation

mental processes such as beliefs + goals. it involves how a person thinks abt themselves + the world, and how these thoughts guide behaviour

emotional motivation

driven by feelings such as anger or fear. these emotions can trigger action. e.g fear can lead to avoidance

social motivation

• the influence of others + our desire for connection, approval + social belonging.

• this motivation is often shaped by family, peers, culture + broader social norms

hierarchy of needs

Maslow, 1954 + 1970

what is the hierarchy of needs

a hierarchy that suggests that human needs are arranged in a hierarchical order, w basic needs at the bottom and higher level needs at top

what does the hierarchy of needs propose

• as individuals we are motivated by a hierarchy of needs

• individuals must meet the needs for self growth to be achieved

• human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs

• certain lower needs need to be satisfied before higher needs can be satisfied

what were the 5 features of the hierarchy in 1954

• physiological needs

• safety + security

• love + belonging

• self esteem

• self actualisation

what needs are basic needs

• physiological needs

• safety + security

what needs are psychological needs

• love + belonging

• self esteem

what need is self fulfilment needs

self actualisation

deficiency needs

basic needs that people are motivated to fulfil due to their absence. they are important for survival and stop acting as a motivator once they have been met

what needs on the hierarchy are deficiency needs

• physiological needs

• safety + security

• love + belonging

• self esteem

what is the key to personal growth + fulfilment according to maslow

focusing on what we have, not on what we don’t have or what we have lost

growth motivation

the tendency to draw satisfaction from what is available in life, rather than to focus on what is missing

what does growth motivation allow

peak experiences: when people find joy in the mere fact of being alive, being human, + knowing that they are realising their fullest potential

growth needs

needs that once met, act as a motivation for people to continue fulfilling them

how do G.N impact motivation

• satisfying these needs leads to happiness + fulfilment and in turn act as motivation to keep fulfilling

• motivation inc as each G.N is met

what need on the hierarchy is a growth need

self actualisation

characteristics of physiological needs

• basic needs of human survival e.g air, food, H20, sleep

• motivation at this level is derived from the human instinct to survive

characteristics of safety + security

• security of body, employments, resources, family, morality + health

• includes the desire for order, predictability + control

characteristics of love + belonging

• humans are social creatures and crave interaction w others

• therefore they need family, friendship, intimacy + love

• humans feel the need to both give + receive love

• a lack of this can bring isolation + loneliness

characteristics of self esteem

• self esteem - there is a desire for achievement to feel confident when faced w challenges and to experience freedom + independence

• respect from others - receiving recognition, attention + appreciation from other people is sought out by individuals

• people who satisfy this level feel they have a purpose in the world + feel self confident, those who do not feel weak, helpless + inferior

self actualisation

the ultimate state of being that all individuals are striving to attain

characteristics of self actualisation

• personal potential is fully realised at this level

• when level is reached, have managed to find meaning in life that is important to them

• everyones needs will vary greatly from person to person

• 2% of people reach

study on self actualisation

maslow studied 18 people who he considered to be self actualised, from this study he identified the 15 characteristics

15 characteristics of a self actualised person

1. they perceive reality efficiently + can tolerate uncertainty

2. accept themselves + others for what they are

3. spontaneous in thought + action

4. problem centred

5. unusual sense of humour

6. able to look at life objectively

7. highly creative

8. resistant to enculturation, but not purposely unconventional

9. concerned for the welfare of humanity

10. capable of deep appreciation of basic life experience

11. establish deep satisfying interpersonal relos with a few people

12. peak experiences

13. need for privacy

14. democratic attitudes

15. strong moral/ethical standards

what 3 stages were added in 1970

• cognitive needs

• aesthetic needs

• transcendence

why were the 3 stages added

• maslow recognised that the highest forms of human fulfilment go beyond just personal achievement and involve seeking truth, beauty + purpose beyond oneself

• this shift led to expansion

characteristics of cognitive needs

• knowledge + understanding, curiosity, exploration, need for meaning + predictability

• meeting these needs facilitates personal growth, comprehension + a deeper understanding of life + its complexities

• these needs drive our pursuit of knowledge + understanding

characteristics of aesthetic needs

• appreciation + search for beauty, balance, form, etc

• fulfilling these needs leads to a deeper sense of satisfaction + harmony in life, as individuals seek environments + experiences that are pleasing + resonant w their sense of beauty

• this involves the appreciation + pursuit of music, art, nature + other forms of aesthetic expression

• fulfilling these needs isn’t just abt physical beauty but also emotional + psychological satisfaction derived from experiencing order + elegance

characteristics of transcendence

• a person is motivated by values beyond personal self

• beyond self actualisation, they represent the human desire to connect w a higher reality, purpose or the universe

• this level emphases altruism, spiritual connection + helping others achieve their potential

• individuals seek experiences that move beyond personal concerns, aiming to achieve a deep sense of unity, understanding + belonging w the vast expanse of existence e.g mystical experiences

strengths of Maslow

• maslow’s theory heralded a new type of psych study called humanistic psych

• humanistic psych aims to look at the uniqueness of each individual + how their own free will is motivated by a desire to achieve self actualisation

• humanism tried to move psych away from a fixation concerned w the pathology of illness, weakness + damage towards focusing on human strength + virtue - don’t just fix what is broken, nurture what is best

limitations of Maslow

Subjective and unscientific origins:

• Maslow’s concept of self-actualisation was based on biographical analysis of 18 individuals he subjectively selected. This introduces researcher bias and weakens the validity of the model

Biased sample and limited generalisability:

• Most individuals studied were white, Western, highly educated males limiting the model’s population + cultural validity. Non-Western or collectivist cultures may prioritise community, family, or spirituality as foundational needs, challenging the universality of the pyramid’s structure

Difficult to empirically test:

• Concepts like self-actualisation and transcendence are difficult to measure scientifically and may reflect philosophical or moral values more than testable psychology.

self determination theory

Deci + Ryan, 1985

self determination

the capacity + tendency of individuals to behave in ways that are volitional, self initiated + aligned w their values + interests

when is S.D achieved

when the behaviour is self endorsed + congruent w one’s sense of self

what does S.D reflect

a person’s ability to act w a sense of autonomy rather than being controlled by external factors

self determination theory

proposes that optimal motivation + psychological well being occurs when autonomy, competence + relatedness are met

what does SDT seek to explain

how being self determined impacts motivation; people feel more motivated to take action/undertake behaviour when they think that what they do will have an effect on the outcome

what does SDT propose

humans are inherently motivated to grow, learn + integrate experiences but quality of motivation matters more than quantity

2 assumptions of SDT

• The need for growth drives behaviour. People are actively directed toward growth. Gaining mastery over challenges + taking in new experiences are essential for developing a cohesive sense of self

• Autonomous motivation is important. While people are often motivated to act by external rewards such as money, SDT focuses primarily on internal sources of motivation such as a need to gain knowledge or independence as this leads to a strong sense of self

what are the 3 psychological needs of motivation

autonomy, competence, relatedness

autonomy

People need to feel in control of their own life, behaviours + goals. this is abt choice

• Satisfying this need improves well-being + leads to increased motivation

competence

People need to gain mastery and control of their own lives + their environment. essential to wellbeing

• Satisfying this need increases the likelihood an individual will feel satisfaction from overcoming obstacles and engaging in their pursuits.

relatedness

People need to experience a sense of belonging + connection with other people. they need to feel cared by others + care for others

• satisfying this need contributes to overall wellbeing

amotivation

an individual finds no value, reward or meaning to behave in a certain way or action

characteristics of amotivation

• lacks intrinsic + extrinsic motivation

• people become amotivated when the enviro does not allow for behaviour to be carried out competently

extrinsic motivation

an external motivation to engage in an activity bc of the rewards associated w it. people seek external rewards + avoid threatening punishment e.g grading systems

4 regulations in extrinsic motivation

• external regulation

• introjected regulation

• identified regulation

• integrated regulation

external regulation

e.g to gain rewards or avoid punishment

introjected regulation

internal pressure e.g guilt

identified regulation

valuing a goal e.g studying for career

integrated regulation

fully aligning actions w one’s values

intrinsic motivation

internal incentive to engage in an activity that is satisfying without the need for external reward. the self satisfaction of completing a goal is the focus here

what do people who are intrinsically motivated seek

enjoyment, interest, self expression + are also driven by core values + morality

strengths of SDT

• The theory is widely applicable across different cultures + contexts as the 3 fundamental psychological needs (A,C,R) are viewed as being universal.

• Intrinsic motivation is the crucial aspect of the SDT theory, supporting the tendency for people to participate in activities that they find personally enjoyable + satisfying, as opposed to engaging in them to receive extrinsic rewards.

limitations of SDT

• Overlooks cultural differences – SDT may not consider cultural variances, which can influence individual motivations + behaviours differently.

• Ignores external motivations – It often undervalues external motivations such as rewards, focusing mainly on internal drives.

• Not applicable to all situations – It’s not always suitable for every circumstance. Some situations may require diff motivational techniques.

• Can be hard to implement – Implementation can be challenging, as fostering an environment that supports A, C + R is difficult

• May encourage selfishness – The theory could potentially foster selfish attitudes as it emphasises personal autonomy + intrinsic motivation over communal or societal needs.

model of subjective wellbeing

Diener, 1984

subjective wellbeing (SWB)

how people evaluate their own lives, both emotionally + cognitive

life satisfaction

the cognitive measure of wellbeing. refers to the overall assessment a person makes of their life + own life experiences

affective balance

the emotional component. the experience + outward expression of emotions. the moods + emotions individuals experience make up emotional wellbeing

positive affect

experiencing more pleasant emotions e.g joy, pride

negative affect

experiencing fewer pleasant emotions e.g sadness, anger

hedonic balance

the overall balance between negative + positive affect that is continually assessed by people

important notes to consider on SWB

• The absence of negative affect is not the same as the presence of positive affect

• as described by many measures of mental health. Subjective wellbeing includes positive measures. 

• SWB includes both emotional experience + life evaluations.

• The frequency + intensity of emotions both matter when assessing well-being

• Objective measures of wellbeing, such as comfort + health influence subjective wellbeing, however, are not included in the definition SWB

six factor model of wellbeing

Ryff, 1989

what did Ryff evaluate

the aspects of positive psychological functioning within numerous theories, then developed it into the 6 factors

how is psychological wellbeing attained

by achieving a state of balance affected by both challenging + rewarding life events

Eudaimonic

focusing on personal growth + self realisations as essential for wellbeing, rather than just happiness or pleasure

autonomy

individuals seeking personal evaluation not from others but from within themselves using their own standards.

characteristics of high scorer - autonomy

• thinks + acts independently

• resists social pressures

• uses personal standards for decision

characteristics of low scorer - autonomy

• conforms to others expectations

• relies on approval

• lacks personal direction

environmental mastery

manipulating the surroundings to best suit personal needs

characteristics of high scorer - environmental mastery

• feels in control of daily life

• effectively uses opportunities

• creates context aligned to personal values

characteristics of low scorer - environmental mastery

• feels overwhelmed or helpless

• unable to change or improve circumstances

• lacks sense of control over external world

personal growth

Utilising past + present experiences allows one to continually develop as a person

characteristics of high scorer - personal growth

• has a feeling of continued development

• sees life as evolving

• realises potential

characteristics of low scorer - personal growth

• feels stagnant or bored

• resists change

• lacks motivation to grow

positive relations with others

Forming genuine relationships with other people and also in guiding the younger generation. The significance of forming empathetic connections with others is paramount

characteristics of high scorer - positive relations with others

• has warm, satisfying + trusting relationships with others

• is concerned about the welfare of others

• capable of strong empathy, affection + intimacy

characteristics of low scorer - positive relations with others

• has few, close trusting relationships with others

• finds it difficult to be warm, open + concerned about others

• is isolated + frustrated in interpersonal relationships

purpose in life

One’s meaning in life evolves over time and requires the individual to continually re-evaluate its intentionality and direction

characteristics of high scorer - purpose in life

• has goals in life + a sense of direction

• feels there is meaning to present + past life

• holds beliefs that gives life purpose

characteristics of low scorer - purpose in life

• has few goals or aims + lacks sense of direction

• lacks a sense of meaning in life + does not see a purpose of past life

• has no outlooks or beliefs that give life purpose

self acceptance

An individual’s acknowledgement of their personal strengths, weaknesses + past decisions/behaviours

characteristics of high scorer - self acceptance

• possesses a positive attitude toward the self

• acknowledges + accepts multiple aspects of self including the good + bad qualities

• feels positive about past life

characteristics of low scorer - self acceptance

• feels dissatisfied with self

• is troubled with certain personal qualities

• is disappointed about what has occurred in past life