Motivation

Motivation: The process that initiates, directs, and sustains behaviour.

Key Characteristics of Motivation

• Internal: originates from within the individual.

• Goal-directed: behaviour is aimed at achieving a particular outcome.

• Energises behaviour: provides the drive to act.

• Sustains behaviour: helps maintain effort over time.

Why Study Motivation?

• Explains why people behave the way they do.

• Helps predict behaviour.

• Explains persistence and effort.

• Has practical applications in education, health, work, and relationships.

Five Perspectives on Motivation

Psychodynamic Perspective: Behaviour is driven by unconscious motives and instincts.

Behaviourist Perspective: Behaviour is motivated by rewards and punishments.

Humanistic Perspective: People are motivated by personal growth and reaching their potential.

Cognitive Perspective: Motivation is influenced by thoughts, goals, expectations, and beliefs.

Evolutionary Perspective: Behaviour is motivated by survival and reproduction.

Hunger as a Biological Drive

Hunger is a biological motivation that helps maintain the body's energy balance.

Brain regulation of hunger involves:

• Hormonal signals

• Blood glucose levels

When energy levels decrease, motivation to eat increases. Hunger motivates behaviour that restores biological balance (homeostasis).

Determinants of Eating Behaviour

Biological factors: Hunger signals, hormones, metabolism.

Psychological factors: Emotions, stress, habits, learned behaviours.

Environmental factors: Portion size, food availability, social influences, and surroundings.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological Needs: Basic survival requirements such as food, water, and sleep. When unmet, they dominate behaviour.

Safety Needs: Security, stability, and predictability. When unmet, anxiety and insecurity may occur.

Belonging Needs: Relationships, friendships, and social connection. When unmet, loneliness and isolation may result.

Esteem Needs:

• Internal: confidence, competence, mastery.

• External: respect, recognition, status.
  When unmet, feelings of inferiority may develop.

Self-Actualisation: The desire to reach one's full potential. This is unique to each individual.

Humanistic Perspective (Maslow)

Core idea: Humans are motivated by growth, development, and the desire to reach their full potential.

Main focus: Self-actualisation.

Criticisms:

• Limited scientific and empirical support.

• The hierarchy may not always occur in a fixed order.

• People sometimes pursue higher-level needs before lower-level needs are fully met.

• Cultural differences may influence the importance of different needs.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

Motivation is driven by three basic psychological needs:

Competence: Feeling capable, skilled, and effective.

Autonomy: Feeling in control of one's actions and choices.

Relatedness: Feeling connected to and accepted by others.

When these needs are satisfied, motivation and wellbeing tend to increase.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation: Doing an activity because it is enjoyable, interesting, or personally satisfying.

Examples: Reading for pleasure, learning a skill because you enjoy it, playing a sport for fun.

Extrinsic Motivation: Doing an activity because of external rewards, pressures, or consequences.

Examples: Studying for grades, working for money, exercising to receive praise.

Quick Exam Summary