Lecture Notes: Understanding Motivation

Introduction

• Story of Aron Ralston: Illustrates extreme human motivation.

  • Trapped in Utah’s Bluejohn Canyon.
  • Survived on minimal resources for days.
  • Motivated by a vision of fatherhood, he freed himself by cutting off his arm.
  • Demonstrates powerful psychological forces: hunger, thirst, need for belonging.

• Definition of Motivation: The need or desire to do something, whether biological, social, or emotional.

Theories of Motivation

1. Evolutionary Perspective

• Early 20th-century view: Behaviors as instincts or innate drives.
• Instinct Theory Criticism:
  • Behaviors may not always be "supposed" to be there.
  • Some behaviors are accidental products of evolution (e.g., "spandrels").
• Modern View:
  • Instincts are complex, unlearned behaviors with fixed patterns (e.g., dogs shaking when wet).

2. Drive-Reduction Theory

• Concept: Physiological needs create drives that compel behavior to reduce those needs.
• Example: Hunger drives us to eat (drive-reduction behavior).
• Homeostasis: The body's need to maintain physiological balance.
• Incentives: External stimuli that influence motivation.

3. Optimal Arousal Theory

• Concept: Motivated to maintain a balance between stimulation and relaxation.
• Example: Choosing activities to achieve optimal arousal without overstimulation.
• Individual Variability: Different optimal arousal levels for different people.

4. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Pyramid Structure:
  1. Physiological needs (food, water, air).
  2. Safety needs.
  3. Love and belonging.
  4. Esteem.
  5. Self-actualization.
• Criticism: Not empirically supported; people skip around needs.

Big Motivators

1. Sex

• Purpose: Promotes species survival, social bonding.
• Influences: Biological (hormones), psychological, and sociocultural.
• Not a need: Does not cause death when absent.

2. Hunger

• Biological Need: Immediate after air and water.
• Mechanism: Triggered by blood sugar (glucose) drop.
• Influences on Hunger:
  • Psychological, cultural, and mood factors.
  • Genetic preference for sweets and fats.

3. Need to Belong

• Importance: Social bonding aids survival.
• Balance Needed: Between social connections and autonomy.
• Effects of Social Exclusion:
  • Causes emotional pain and stress.
  • Used as a form of punishment across cultures.

Conclusion

• Harnessing Motivation: Powerful enough to enable incredible feats.
• Summary: Covered four theories of motivation and main motivators—sex, hunger, need to belong.