Psychology - Motivation and Wellbeing

Sources of motivation

Physiological, Cognitions, Emotions, Social

However these can overlap, e.g PhysiologicL Needs can trigger emotions

Physiological

The basic biological requirements for survival, such as hunger, and thirst.

Drive us to take action to satisfy them.

e.g when you’re hungry, your body signals you to seek food.

Cognitions

Our thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes significantly influence motivation.

Include our goals, expectations, and, self-perceptions.

When we set goals or anticipate rewards, our cognitive processes influence our behaviour.

Emotions

Powerful motivators. energise and direct our actions

Social Factors

Norms, expectations, relationships, desire for social approval. Can inspire us to cooperate and contribute to collective goals

Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan 1985)

Amotivation, Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation

A theory of human motivation and personality that concerns people's innate growth tendencies and innate psychological needs. It pertains to the motivation behind people's choices

Amotivation

lack of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. People who don’t attempt a behaviour at all, or if they are in a situation that requires a behavior, they do so without any personal intent.

Extrinsic

Stems from external rewards.

Respect of other people, social recogitiom

Intrinsic

Stems from an inner desire for self satisfaction, arising from a specific goal.

e.g reading a book because you like it vs if you were told to read it

External Regulation

Compliance, based on external rewards and punishment

Introjected Regulation

taking in a regulation but not fully accepting it as one’s own

e.g when people are motivated to demonstrate ability

Identified Regulation

a more autonomous, or self-determined, form of extrinsic motivation. conscious valuing of a behavioural goal or regulation, accepted or owned as personally important

Integrated Regulation

when action or goal have been evaluated and brought into congruence with one’s other values and needs

Intrinsic Regulation

Internal drives that inspire us to behave in certain ways, including our core values, interests and our personal sense of morality

Self Determination by Ryan

Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness

Autonomy

The need for people to feel in control of their actions

Improves wellbeing and increased motivation

Competence

The desire to feel capable of mastering new skills and experiencing a sense of achievement

Increases the likelihood someone will feel satisfaction from overcoming obstacles and engaging in their pursuits

Relatedness

People have a desire to form social connections and be a part of positive relationships with others

Contributes to wellbeing

Strengths of Theory (Deci & Ryan)

• Applicable to many cultures

• Used in many domains

• Widely considered an excellent model to explain motivation

Limitations of the Theory

• Does not account for social and cultural factors that may influence motivation and behavior

• A complex theory to apply'

• The emphasis on autonomy minimises the influence of external rewards

Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow 1954, 1970)

The theory believes that each person is motivated by the need to fulfil unmet needs. Lower level needs must be met for higher needs to be fulfilled.

Physiological Needs

biological requirements for human survival. If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally

e.g air, food, shelter, sex

Safety Needs

Protection from elements, security, order, law, freedom from fear

Physical - stability, order, limits

Emotional - free from chaos, threats, fear

Love and Belongingness Needs

Social; and feelings of belongingness.

Receiving love - deeming oneself worthy of being loved accepted and having a place within a group

Giving love - having love and affection towards others

e.g friendships, intimacy, trust

Esteem Needs

Self-esteem - the desire for achievement, confidence when challenged, experiences of freedom and independence.

Respect from others - receiving recognition, attention, and appreciation from other people including reputation.

Self Actualisation

Realizing personal potential, self-fulfilment, seeking personal growth and peak experience.

Deficiency Needs

Are concerned with basic survival including physiological needs and safety needs. Motivation to fulfil such needs will get stronger the longer they are denied

Growth Needs

Psychological and are associated with realising an individuals full potential and needing to self-actualize

Cognitive Needs

Mental process of gaining knowledge and understanding through the senses, personal experiences and mental activity.

Gain knowledge, curiosity

Aesthetic Needs

Aesthetic beauty as well as the appreciation of anything beautiful

Transcendence

Experience of going beyond the limitation of a physical human experience,

Strengths of Maslow

• Focused on the positive aspects of human nature

• Simple and understandable

• Universal relevance - to understand and motivate people

Limitations of Maslow

• Need to complete them in order

• No proof a person has met Transcendence

• Sample bias
  Subjective Data Set

Subjective Well-being (Diener 1984)

people’s cognitive and affective evaluations of their lives

Life Satisfaction

Overall assessment a person makes of their life and their life experiences, these global judgements of one’s life makes up the cognitive measure of wellbeing

Affective balance

the experience and outward expression of emotion of emotion.

POSITIVE affect - pleasant emotions such as happiness, excitement, joy and contentment

NEGATIVE affect - distressing emotions such as anger and sadness

Limitations of Diener

Mainly focuses on emotion and personal experiences of the individual, while external factors also affect wellbeing they are not considered in this model

Wellbeing

How people feel and function both on a personal and social level, and how they evaluate their lives

Six Factor Model of Wellbeing - Ryff (1989)

Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, Personal Growth, Positive Relations with Others, Purpose in Life, Self-Acceptance

Autonomy Ryff

Having a sense of independence and self-determination, ability to make decisons that align with our values and desires, resist social pressures

Environmental Mastery

Ability to adapt to and effectively manage the external world. Setting and achieving goals

Personal Growth

Importance of embracing new experiences seeking knowledge and pursuing personal development

Positive Relations with Others

Healthy social connections play a vital role in our well-being, emphasis is on the importance of having meaningful relationships

Purpose in Life

Setting meaningful goals, finding a sense of meaning and significance in our actions

Self-Acceptance

Having a positive attitude towards oneself, embracing both strengths and weaknesses.

Healthy self image.