TOPIC 3

BASIC THEMES IN THE STUDY OF MOTIVATION

1

2

What causes behavior? Motivation theorists

• Assume that for every behavior, there is cause– Goal is to identify those causes

• Tend to be eclectic

• Want to know what instigates behavior– Biology, learning, cognition

o     

3

Approach and Avoidant Causes

• Biological basis for approach/avoidant behavior

• Individual differences may be a result of inherited amounts of each system

4

Temperament: we approach life with a particular orientation that can affect everything we do and say

Dual nature: we are often being pulled in two directions (moves us forward or stops us in our tracks)

Approach and Avoidant Causes

5

Approach and Avoidant Causes Approach Causes

People do things because of something they want, desire, or need

Example: People eat because they are hungry.

Sometimes the want, desire, or need does not immediately give rise to a specific goal object

Avoidant Causes

People do things to avoid something

Example: People who have anxiety at a party may leave the party.

These things are not only aversive/noxious, they are also difficult/impossible to ignore

6

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

1. Behavior represents an attempt to adapt to the environment

2. Importance of determining what arouses/energizes behavior

7

3. Understanding what governs the direction of behavior

– Need theory: needs are what give direction to behavior

– Goal theory: goals create a tension, and the individuals move toward the goals to reduce that tension

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

8

4. Understand persistence– One of the main predictors of success;

grows out of intrinsic motivation– Reward theory: we are inclined to repeat

behaviors that make us feel good (positive reinforcement) and discontinue behaviors that make us feel bad (negative reinforcement)

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

9

5. Understanding the role of emotions– Affect theory: people approach things to

experience positive affect and avoid things to guard against experiencing negative affect

– Feelings are important determinants of behavior

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

10

6. Accounting for individual differences– Motivation theorists are interested in why

individuals behave the way they do (biology, cognitions, learning)

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

11

7. Self-regulation of behavior– Learning to set attainable goals, manage

negative emotions, focus attention; tendency to engage in planning

– Motivational principles are the underlying reasons people self-regulate/achieve/take control

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

12

8. Humans have will (people can create their own destiny)

– People are not mere products of biology or the environment

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories