Arousal approaches to motivation

Drive reduction approach to motivation (DRT)

The instinct approaches to motivation

Theories of motivation

Theories of motivation

MOTIVATION AND EMOTION

Motivation - it is the factor that directs and energizes thebehavior of humans and other organisms.

The study of motivation answers the following questions:

1. Why do people behave as they do?

2. Why does behavior take one form and not another?

3. What makes people behave differently or similarly?

4. How can we motivate people to behave in particular ways, such as eating certain foods or quitting smoking?

There are different conceptual approaches to the study of motivation. They differ in their focus on: biological factors, cognitive factors, social factors.

This theory states that motivation is the result of an inborn, biologically determined pattern of behavior. According to this approach, people and animals are born with programmed sets of behavior essential to their survival.

Comments on instinct approach: there is a problem of clearly identifying the primary instincts because of their variety and complexities. Much of human behavior is learned not instinctual.

This theory suggests that when people lack some basic biological requirements such as water and food, a drive to obtain these requirements is produced. A drive is tension, arousal that pushes behavior in order to fulfill some need. Primary drives are related to biological needs of the body. Example: hunger, thirst, sleepiness.

Secondary drives are related to prior experience and learning without the fulfillment of any biological needs. Example: motivation for academic achievement.

An organism tries to maintain an internal biological balance, which is called homeostasis. Example: except sexual behavior, most of the basic needs of lifeare to maintain balance.

Comment on drive reduction approach: we show some kind of behavior simply for curiosity. The behavior may not be related to biological balance. Example: Many of us spend the whole day in solving puzzles,which are not directly related to the satisfaction of biological drives.

According to this approach, each of us tries to maintain a certain level of stimulation and anxiety.

In DRT - if the arousal is too high, we try to reduce them.

In arousal approaches - if the level of stimulation and activity are too low, we will try to increase them by seeking stimulation.

People differ in their optimal level of arousal. Example: how much stimulation do you need to do an activity in your everyday life?

Дата добавления: 2014-01-04