Overview
This lecture introduces key theories of motivation in psychology, including distinctions between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the overjustification effect, self-efficacy, social motives, and Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Types of Motivation
- Motivation refers to the wants or needs directing behavior toward a goal.
- Intrinsic motivation originates from internal factors, such as autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
- Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors like rewards, compensation, or avoiding punishment.
- Most behaviors are influenced by a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, which can change over time.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
- Overjustification effect: intrinsic motivation can decrease if extrinsic rewards are given for activities once enjoyed for their own sake.
- Tangible rewards (like money) tend to reduce intrinsic motivation more than intangible ones (like praise).
- Expecting extrinsic rewards weakens intrinsic motivation; unexpected rewards have less negative effect.
- Cultural context, such as collectivism, can influence the importance placed on group over individual motivations.
Motivation in Education
- Intrinsic motivation in students increases with a sense of belonging, respect, autonomy, and challenging but achievable activities.
- Teacher-driven, evaluative classroom environments can reduce intrinsic motivation, while collaborative and flexible classrooms enhance it.
Theories of Motivation
- Instinct theory (James): behaviors are driven by inherited, species-specific instincts, though learning also shapes behavior.
- Drive theory: deviations from homeostasis produce drives (like hunger) motivating actions to restore balance.
- Habits are learned behaviors repeated when they effectively reduce drives.
- Arousal theory: people seek optimal arousal levels for best performance; too little or too much arousal can harm performance.
- Yerkes-Dodson Law: simple tasks are performed best at higher arousal, complex tasks at lower arousal.
Self-Efficacy and Social Motives
- Self-efficacy is belief in one’s ability to accomplish tasks, influencing motivation and persistence.
- Social motives include needs for achievement, affiliation, and intimacy, driving human ambition, relationships, and power.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Maslow’s hierarchy is a pyramid with physiological needs at the base, followed by safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization at the top.
- Lower needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs can be addressed.
- Self-actualization is realizing one’s full potential; self-transcendence (added later) involves pursuing purpose beyond personal needs.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Intrinsic motivation — Doing something for its own satisfaction or personal reward.
- Extrinsic motivation — Performing an activity to receive external rewards or avoid punishment.
- Overjustification effect — Loss of intrinsic motivation when extrinsic rewards are introduced.
- Homeostasis — The body’s tendency to maintain balance in physiological systems.
- Drive theory — Motivation arises from biological needs creating psychological drives seeking equilibrium.
- Arousal theory — The idea that people seek an optimal level of arousal for best performance.
- Yerkes-Dodson Law — Relationship between arousal level and task difficulty on performance.
- Self-efficacy — One’s belief in their capability to achieve goals.
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs — A motivational theory organizing needs from basic survival to self-actualization.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Maslow’s hierarchy and be able to apply it to real-life examples.
- Compare and contrast intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation with personal examples.
- Prepare to discuss how different classroom environments affect motivation.