Theories of Motivation

For AP psychology

Instincts Theory

Innate (born with them), typically fixed patterns of behavior in animals that occur in response to particular stimuli (exs: birds migrating, geese imprinting)

Drive-Reduction Theory

Behaviors help us maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis = internal state of balance. If we are out of homeostasis, we experience a drive to engage in the behavior needed to fix it (exs: hunger, sleep, thirst, cold or hot)

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic = motivated by internal factors (we enjoy something)

Extrinsic = motivated by external factors (money, praise, grades)

Over-justification Effect = rewarding intrinsically motivated behaviors reduces them

Arousal Theory

We want to maintain an optimal level of arousal... what level is optimal may vary by individual or activity/task. Arousal = alertness, physical preparedness to respond to stimuli. Yerkes-Dodson Law = for difficult tasks, moderate or even low-moderate levels of arousal are best

Sensation-Seeking Typology

We are motivated to achieve particular levels of dopamine/cortisol... whatever is optimal to us as an individual. We are classified as:

• Experience Seeking (nonconformists, they seek new ways of thinking/being... like artists)

• Thrill/Adventure Seeking (enjoy risky - but socially acceptable - activities like skydiving)

• Disinhibition (bored by regular life and engages in antisocial activities like partying/drinking)

• Boredom Susceptibility (low tolerance for repetition of activities... can appear as restlessness)

Motivational Conflicts Theory

When we have multiple factors involved in making a decision, motivations might conflict with each other... the choices either motivate us to approach or avoid doing something (ex: in an approach-avoid conflict we want to do something for one reason, but don't want to do it for another... must resolve the conflict).

Incentive Theory

• Law of Effect = we seek rewards and avoid punishments

• Token Economy = a system of rewards (like star charts)

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

We have conflicting beliefs or our beliefs and actions are in conflict with each other... we are motivated to change one of them. If an action and a belief are in conflict we are most likely to change the belief because the action is already public.

Self-Determination Theory

We are motivated by the basic needs of competency (control environment), autonomy (control course of our lives), and relatedness (have close, affectionate relationships). We are intrinsically driven to feel in control of our own lives... it is satisfying

Needs Theory

Maslow saw a hierarchy of needs as explaining motivation, but McClelland says we learn to be motivated by affiliation, power, or achievement.