AP PSYCH 4.6 Motivation

Drive-Reduction Theory

Clark Hull ; that motivation arises from physiological needs that create an aroused state (drive) which pushes an organism to reduce that need and achieve homeostasis.

• When you're hungry, the drive for

food motivates you to seek out and consume food, thereby reducing the hunger and

restoring balance.

Arousal Theory

people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal

• Too little arousal leads to boredom

• too much arousal leads to stress.

• Optimal arousal levels differ depending on the individual and the situation.

  • skydiving to achieve high arousal levels

  • practice meditation to reduce arousal and stress.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

moderate levels of arousal lead to optimal performance on tasks

• Tennis player needs quick reflexes and

  strategic thinking— Too much arousal

  (e.g., anxiety) or too little (e.g., lack of

  focus) can lead to errors and reduced

  performance.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

Edward Deci and Richard

Ryan ; intrinsic motivation

and the human need for autonomy,

competence, and relatedness.

• employees are more motivated and productive when they feel they have control over their work (autonomy), are skilled at their tasks (competence), and connected to their colleagues (relatedness).

Incentive Theory

behavior is motivated by external rewards or incentives

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in a behavior because it is inherently

rewarding, rather than for some separable consequence

• Studying a subject out of curiosity and a desire to understand, without concern for grades or rewards.

Extrinsic Motivation

Engaging in an activity to earn external rewards or avoid punishment

• praise, money, grades, or social approval

Instinct Theory

Behaviors are driven by innate biological instincts that are evolutionarily programmed

Lewin's Motivational Conflicts

three types of motivational conflicts that arise when an individual faces competing goals:

• approach-approach

• approach-avoidance

• avoidance-avoidance conflicts.

Approach-Approach Conflict

Occurs when an individual must choose between two equally attractive options

• Choosing between

  two exciting job offers

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

Arises when a single choice has both positive and negative aspects

• Deciding whether to take a

  high-paying job that requires moving to a less desirable location

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

Occurs when an individual must choose between two equally unattractive options

• Doing a disliked chore or facing the consequences of not doing it

Sensation Seeking

Tendency to seek out novel and intense experiences

• Experience

• Thrill/Adventure

• Disinhibition

• Boredom Susceptibility

Experience Seeking

Motivational tendency characterized by a desire for new sensations and experiences, even if they involve risk or uncertainty

Thrill or Adventure Seeking

Motivational trait characterized by a strong

desire for intense and exciting experiences, often involving physical risks or

challenges

Disinhibition

Motivational state where individuals seek to escape from social norms, constraints, or inhibitions, often leading to impulsive or unrestrained behavior

Boredom Susceptibility

Tendency to experience dissatisfaction or restlessness when not engaged in stimulating activities, may struggle with maintaining attention during repetitive or monotonous tasks

Eating

A fundamental biological drive essential for survival and maintaining bodily functions. It involves the consumption of food to acquire nutrients and energy necessary for growth, metabolism, and overall health.

• hypothalamus: triggers hunger signals

• ghrelin: stimulates hunger

• leptin: suppresses appetite

External Factors

Social gatherings, advertisements, and food accessibility influence eating behavior

• smell of food at a social event can stimulate appetite,

  leading people to eat more than they might alone.