Overview
This lecture covers the psychology of motivation, exploring major theories behind why we act and key motivators such as sex, hunger, and the need to belong.
Theories of Motivation
- Motivation is the need or desire to do something, driven by biological, social, or emotional factors.
- Instinct Theory suggests behaviors are innate and genetically programmed, but this is overly simplistic.
- Drive-Reduction Theory proposes that physiological needs create drives that motivate us to satisfy those needs and restore balance (homeostasis).
- Incentives are external stimuli that attract or repel us, influencing our motivation in addition to internal drives.
- Optimal Arousal Theory states that people are motivated to maintain an ideal level of stimulation—avoiding both boredom and stress.
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs arranges motivation into a pyramid: physiological needs, safety, belonging, esteem, then self-actualization at the top.
Major Motivators
- Psychological schools agree sex, hunger, and the need to belong are major human motivators.
- Sexual motivation promotes the survival of the species and is influenced by biology, psychology, and culture.
- Hunger is triggered by low blood glucose, regulated by the hypothalamus, and also influenced by psychological and cultural factors.
- The Minnesota Hunger Experiment showed that starvation affects not only the body but also mental health and social behavior.
- The need to belong is fundamental; social connections support survival, and exclusion causes psychological pain.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Instinct — complex, unlearned behavior with a fixed pattern in a species.
- Drive — an internal state caused by physiological needs.
- Homeostasis — the body's tendency to maintain balanced internal states.
- Incentive — external stimulus that motivates behavior.
- Optimal Arousal — the preferred level of stimulation for best performance.
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs — motivational theory ranking needs from basic physiological to self-fulfillment.
- Ostracism — deliberate social exclusion of individuals or groups.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the four major theories of motivation for key differences.
- Prepare for further lessons on specific motivators, especially sex and belonging.
- Reflect on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence your own motivations.