Psychology: Motivation and Emotion

Chapter 6: Motivation and Emotion 1. What is Motivation a. Motivation – A physiological and psychological factors that account for the arousal (energizing), direction, and persistence of behavior. i. Motivation is a hypothetical state 2. Theories of Motivation b. Biological Theories ii. Instincts – Unlearned species-specific behaviors that are more complex than reflexes and triggered by environmental events called releasing stimuli iii. Ethology – The scientific study of animal behavior under natural conditions iv. Internal States, Drives, and Drive Reduction 1. Drive – Internal motivational state created by a physiological need 2. Drive-reduction theory – Theory that views motivated behavior as directed toward the reduction of a physiological need v. Optimum-level Theory 3. Theory that the body functions best at a specific level of arousal, which varies from one individual to another c. Cognitive Theories vi. Cognitive-Consistency Theories 4. Cognitive Dissonance – Aversive state produced when an individual holds two incompatible thoughts or cognitions vii. Incentive Theories 5. We cannot explain all motives as instincts, drive reduction, or the resolution of cognitive dissonance 6. Incentive theories see motivated behavior as being pulled by the incentive or goal viii. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 7. Maslow’s view that basic needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs can be satisfied a. Physiological needs – Basic survival needs, including food, water, and sleep b. Safety needs - Needs for order, predictability, physical security, and freedom from fear c. Belongingness and love needs – Affiliation with friends and companions, a supportive family, group identification, and an intimate relationship