Motivation
Motivation
The drives that propel us in a specific direction
Motivation can be known as goal direct behaviour
Both physiological and psychological components
E.g. Psychological component: The feeling of being motivated
Physiological component:Getting up and doing something
Two of the most powerful motivators are food and sex
Why are motivational speakers appealing?
Motivational speakers do not actually cause a strong change in people
May provoke emotion, persuading,
Drive Reduction Theory
Drive motivates us to act in ways that minimize aversive states
Hunger, thirst, sexual frustration
Evolutionary basis (eating)
We are attempting to maintain psychological homeostasis (maintaining oneself i.e. sexual desires and eating)
Yerkes-Dodson Law
In order to have maximum performance or motivation we need to be at a medium level
A simple task needs higher level of arousal
A complex task needs less levels of arousal (could interfere with performance)
E.g. You might perform better at an athletic event you are excited about participating in or do better on an exam if you are anxious about your score
When drives class
3 Types of conflicts humans need to deal with:
Approach-Approach Conflict: When we need to decide two pleasant things (two friends having bday parties and having to make a deicison of which one to go to
Avoidance-Avoidance: Deciding between two or more undesirable options
Approach-Avoidance: Behaviour has both positive and negative consequences (decide to go on vacation but fall behind on work)
Incentive Theories
Drive theory is incomplete because it does explain things like why do we keep eating when we are full
Belief: We are only motivated by positive goals
Intrinsic Motivation: Our internal goals (taking a course because you are interested in it)
Extrinsic Goals: External goals (winning a competition because you want the trophy)
The Undermining Effect: When we have extrinsic motivations, it can diminish our intrinsic motivations for something