Motivation and wellbeing - psych

What is motivation

The conscious or unconscious drive leading the behaviour that individuals initiate direct and maintain

*Observable behaviours

What are motives

They are the desires behind goal directed behaviour

*Motives influence behaviour

What are the sources of motivation

• Physiological

• Cognitions

• Emotional

• Social

What is physiological motivation?

The needs for survival that motivate most human behaviour

E.g. sleep, toilet, drink, hunger, etc.

What is cognitions?

Refers to motivation being derived from intellectual challenges due to the intrinsic motivation that they produce

This drive is to satisfy curiosity and explore personal interest

E.g. values, goals, expectations, etc.

What is emotional motivation?

Motivation can stem from trying to avoid pain and seeking happiness

E.g. avoid fear, anger, stress, or strive for happiness and joy

What is social motivation?

The drive to form connections and relationships with the people around us

E.g. peer pressure, conforming, and seeking approval

What are Deci and Ryan’s (1985) 3 types of motivation - SDT?

• Amotivation

• Extrinsic

• Intrinsic

What is amotivation?

It is the lack of intrinsic or extrinsic motivation

Increases when the environment doesn’t allow for behaviour to be performed

What is extrinsic motivation?

Motivation that stems from the desire for external rewards

This motivation is means to an end - meaning that when the reward is earnt, the behaviour ends

E.g. respect, money, awards, social recognition, etc.

What is intrinsic motivation?

Refers to motivation driven by an inner desire for self-actualisation (full potential), arising from achieving a specific goal

This motivation is an end in itself

E.g. self-gratification

What are Deci and Ryan’s (1985) recognised psychological needs for motivation - SDT?

• Autonomy

• Competency

• Relatedness

What is Autonomy?

Refers to how people need to feel in control of their own actions

Satisfying this need improves their wellbeing, leading to increased motivation

What is competency?

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

It increases the likelihood that an individual will feel satisfaction from overcoming their obstacles

What is relatedness?

People have a longing to form social connections and be a part of positive relationships

It improves wellbeing

What are the strengths of self-determination theory?

• The theory is applicable across cultures and context - the three needs are universal

• Intrinsic motivation is a crucial aspect of self-determination theory. It supports the tendency for people to do things that they enjoy, rather than doing things for external rewards

What are the limitations of self-determination theory?

• The strong emphasis on autonomy is argued to minimise the influence that external rewards have on motivation

• The theory has multiple complex components, it may limit the ability to comprehend and apply (facilitator)

What is the application of self-determination theory?

• It is of interest to teachers, employers, and managers, to increase the three psychological needs

  • This improves self-determination which leads to intrinsic motivation, which then promotes positive wellbeing

What is self-actualisation?

Maslow (1954) created a hierarchy of needs, based on the idea that everyone should reach self-actualisation

It is the ultimate state of being that everyone is trying to attain

It involves reaching one’s full potential and continually seeking growth and knowledge

What are the two types of motivation and needs (Maslow, 1954)?

1. Deficiency needs

2. Growth needs

What are deficiency needs (Maslow 1954)

They are basic needs that people are motivated to fulfil due to their absence.

Important for survival

Motivation decreases as each need is met

E.g. hungry, but eats food - need fulfilled

What are growth needs (Maslow, 1954)

They are needs that once met act as the motivation to continue fulfilling them

Develops a unique personality, leads to happiness, motivation increases as the need is met

E.g. graduating and inspired to reach your full potential

What was Maslow’s 1954 first hierarchy of needs

1. Physiological needs

2. Safety needs

3. Love and belonginess

4. Esteem needs

5. Self-actualisation

*don’t reference pyramid for exam

What was Maslow’s revised 1970 hierarchy of needs?

1. Physiological needs

2. Safety needs

3. Love and belonginess

4. Esteem needs

5. Cognitive needs

6. Aesthetic needs

7. Self-actualisation

8. Transcendence needs

What are the deficiency needs?

1. Physiological needs

2. Safety needs

3. Love and belonginess

4. Esteem needs

What are physiological needs?

Basic biological requirements that provide energy, physical contentment, and health

E.g. food, water, shelter, etc.

What are safety needs?

Involves both physical and emotional safety.

When these needs are not met, it causes anxiety and a lack of confidence in the environment

E.g. order, stability, free from threat, etc.

What is love and belonginess?

Incorporates both receiving love and giving love

A lack of love and belonging can result in isolation and loneliness

E.g. feeling worthy of love, affection, etc.

What are esteem needs?

There are two components:

Self esteem: desire for achievement, confidence, and freedom

Respect from others: recognition, attention, and appreciation from others

What are the growth needs?

5. Cognitive needs

6. Aesthetic needs

7. Self-actualisation

8. Transcendence needs

What are cognitive needs?

Gaining knowledge and understanding through the senses, personal experiences, and mental activity

A curiosity to understand

Philosophy and theology

What are aesthetic needs?

The appreciation for anything beautiful (the things around us). It contributes to a positive wellbeing

Not reaching this level can cause a sense of discomfort

What is self-actualisation?

It refers to how each person has their own way of reaching a feeling of self-realisation, self-fulfillment, and self-actualisation

It increases as people are autonomous

Peaks and troughs are normal here

Restlessness and discontentment are barriers to reaching self-actualisation

What are Transcendence needs?

Going beyond the limits of human experience. The deeper meaning found is then used to help humanity, rather than focusing on the self.

What are the strengths of Maslow’s (1954, 1970) theory?

• The theory focused on healthy human psychological development, which was uncommon at the time

• The theory was supported by a meta-analysis conducted by Alexander and colleagues (1991, et all). Results from 42 studies revealed that transcendental meditation (variant of yoga) was associated with significant progress toward self-actualisation

What are the limitations of Maslow’s (1954, 1970) theory?

• The sample was small and purposefully selected by Maslow. It lacked objectivity as he used subjective measures only

• The hierarchical categorisation of needs oversimplifies complex human behaviour. Other theorists have argued that this is not the most suitable structure for human needs.

  • The pyramid shape was not created by Maslow, but has become popular, it is not reflective of human behaviour and life’s obstacles

What is the application of Maslow’s (1954, 1970) theory?

• Maslow’s theory provides the framework to educational programs around the world - physiological needs are required before other needs can be met (e.g. recess and lunch)

What is subjective wellbeing - Diener 1984 ?

A mixture of negative and positive measures and overall emotional and cognitive assessment of life that is personal to the individual

It is based on the personal experiences of an individual and therefore ‘subjective’ for each person

What are the three main components that make up the concept of subjective wellbeing - Diener 1984

1. Life satisfaction

2. Affective balance (positive)

3. Affective balance (negative)

What is life satisfaction?

Refers to the overall assessment a person makes of their life and their own life experiences

It is influenced by feeling an overall positive affect of mood, usually influenced by those closest to you

These global judgements are the ‘cognitive’ measures of wellbeing

What is affective balance?

It encompasses all the moods, emotions, and feelings that an individual experiences. The moods and emotions make up the ‘emotional’ measure of wellbeing

Positive affect = pleasant emotions

Negative affect = unpleasant emotions

People experience positive and negative affect and attempt to enhance their lives by reducing negative affect and increasing positive affect

A global judgement of happiness is continuously assessed by people comparing their negative affect with positive affect

What makes up subjective wellbeing?

Life satisfaction + affective balance = subjective wellbeing

What are the strengths of Diener’s 1984 theory?

• The theory has cultural universality and can be applied across cultures and contexts

• The theory is comprehensive and holistic (focuses on the good)

What are the limitations of Diener’s 1984 theory?

• External factors are not considered in the theory

  • E.g. finances, work conditions, relationships, and cultural influences

• The theory relies on self-reporting, which can produce bias when participants give answers in order to be socially desirable

What is the application of Diener’s 1984 theory?

• The effectiveness of public health initiatives and policies are positively influenced by the knowledge of subjective wellbeing - includes a longitudinal study

What is the PWB

The psychological wellbeing scale - designed by Ryff based on her theory of psychological wellbeing

What are the components of the 6 factor model of wellbeing - Ryff 1989

• Autonomy

• Environmental mastery

• Personal growth

• Personal relations with others

• Purpose in life

• Self-acceptance

What is autonomy?

Refers to individuals seeking personal evaluation from within themselves using their own standards and the ability to make their own decisions using free will

What is the dimension of autonomy?

High autonomy = they are independent and able to make their own choices based on self-accepted moral principles, rather than feeling pressured to conform to social norms

Low autonomy = they are highly concerned by what society thinks of them and is easily pressured to conform to social norms, making decisions based on the opinions of others.

What is environmental mastery?

Rather than accepting things for how they are, especially when they are not desirable, it involves manipulating the surroundings to best suit personal needs - a feeling of being able to influence others

What is the dimension of environmental mastery?

High environmental mastery = they feel confident in manipulating their environment, manages complicated tasks, and makes the most of situations they find themselves in

Low environmental mastery = they feel unable to manipulate their surroundings, finds complex tasks overwhelming, and feel little control over their external environment

What is personal growth?

Utilising past and present experiences, allowing one to continually develop as a person and experience new things

What are the dimensions of personal growth?

High personal growth = they have a sense of continual development and self-improvement, welcomes new experiences, and reflects upon them to increase knowledge

Weak personal growth = they feel a sense of stagnation due to a lack of personal improvement, is unmotivated to try to better themselves, finds life boring, and feels unable to shift this mindset

What is positive relations with others?

Refers to how individuals who self-actualise find importance in forming genuine relationships with other people and also in guiding the younger generations.

Such individuals believe in the significance of forming empathetic connections with others

What are the dimensions of positive relations with others?

Strong positive relations = they understand that relationships involve a balance of give and take, are empathetic, affectionate, and caring, and can participate in trusting relationships

Weak positive relations = unwilling to make compromises in relationships, has difficulties caring for others and forming intimate and trusting human connections

What is purpose in life?

Refers to how meaning in life evolves over time and requires the individual to continually re-evaluate its intentionality and direction

What is the dimension of purpose in life?

Strong purpose in life = believes the past and present life is meaningful, sets life goals to follow and has a sense of direction

Weak purpose in life = feels that life lacks purpose

What is self-acceptance?

An individuals acknowledgement of their personal strengths, weaknesses, and past decisions and behaviours

What are the dimensions of self-acceptance?

High acceptance = accepting of good and bad personal characteristics, has high self-esteem, and has a positive view of the life they have lived

Low acceptance = concerned by certain parts of their character, has low self-esteem, and is disappointed in their past life

What are the strengths of Ryff’s 1989 theory?

• Ryff’s model encompasses multiple dimensions, unlike other wellbeing models (Diener 1984)

• Ryff created a PWB survey that allowed empirical evidence to be collected. It had high reliability and validity

What are the limitations of Ryff’s 1989 theory?

• Additional everyday factors that affect wellbeing are not accounted for

  • E.g. Economic and social factors

• Does not account for negative affect (random)

  • E.g. adversity, hardships (breakup), etc.

What is the application of Ryff’s 1989 theory?

• There is a relationship between optimal sleep duration and psychological wellbeing