PSY 0010 notes Motivation page 1 explains observable behavior in terms of internal states o contrast to behaviorist model of external observable behavior gives energy and direction to behavior Motivation Instinct theory instincts fixed action patterns o fairly simple behaviors can be seen as related to reflexes o unlearned innate o triggered by something in environment o non stereotypical o all members of species display purpose of instincts promote survival o not necessarily survival of individual but often survival of species even at expense of individual do humans have instincts o has been argued that we do not higher level cognitive processing choice replaces instinctive behavior other than basic reflexes o recently yes many innate capacities i e for language could be understood as instincts recent evolutionary scientists beliefs not on the same level as animal instincts more complex Drive theory biological needs create drives drive state of high tension o state of low tension is optimal pleasurable o unpleasant energy states i e tension motivates behavior to reduce o therefore drive for food hunger motivates us to find something to tension relieve tension food o when a need is satisfied drive is reduced we return to a state of relaxation homeostasis dynamic state of balance o body s tendency to maintain biologically balanced condition to promote survival o dynamic equilibrium balance around a set point i e thermostat set at 70 will raise heat at 68 and lower at 72 still balances out to 70 but dynamic balance stage of physiological equilibrium biological need drive motivation goal directed behavior satisfaction of need stage of physiological equilibrium o continuous cycle Drive reduction theory behavioral learning theory think of learned behavior in terms of drives and habits PSY 0010 notes Motivation page 2 Arousal theory habits learned patterns of behavior reducing strength of drive when need is met is positively reinforcing o reinforcing builds habit strength any time drive is reduced influences habit of behaving that way therefore tendency to engage in whatever behavior reduced a drive when that drive is activated in the future o combination of drive strength and habit strength motivates behavior arousal state of alertness mental physical activation motivated to maintain optimal level of alertness physical mental activation o for most moderate level o when arousal exceeds optimal level we are motivated to reduce stimulation o when arousal is lower than optimal we are motivated to do something to increase stimulation people vary in amount of arousal they prefer what heightened arousal is like for them o high arousal excited highly stimulated o low arousal relaxed satiated o moderate arousal level associated with day to day activities Yerkes Dodson Law o moderate level of arousal leads to optimal performance o performance on task is best when arousal level is appropriate to difficulty of task as arousal rises we begin to experience cognitive interference after a point arousal makes it harder to think clearly problem in cognitively challenging tasks not simple ones Needs theory what motivates behavior when drives are satiated Henry Murray o we have primary needs biological necessities for life o also have secondary needs psychogenic psychological needs psycho genesis achievement power affiliation etc 20 o all needs are innate secondary just as much as primary o people have psychogenic needs in varying amounts Achievement motivation desire to do well feel pleasure in overcoming obstacles high need for achievement associated with o higher performance o persistence in face of failure o self control innovation drawn to change o choice of moderately difficult tasks PSY 0010 notes Motivation page 3 gives most information about ability to do well Humanistic psychology builds on Murray idea of psychological needs Abraham Maslow 1942 Carl Rogers 1942 human beings unique subjects of study humans o have free will actions caused by our choices o basic tenet of humanism reaction to behaviorism at the time o motivated to find meaning and purpose o natural tendency to grow develop potentials pursue higher artistic intellectual spiritual goals Maslow s hierarchy of needs deficiency needs low to high o physiological o safety o belonging and love affiliation o esteem most fundamental must be met in order to meet other needs Maslow introduced self esteem to psych in this category deficiency needs o drive like unmet create tension anxiety lack motivates behavior satisfaction brings relief until need reasserts itself o lower on hierarchy more potent would overwhelm needs higher on hierarchy growth being needs fundamental needs demand to be satisfied first o need for self actualization need to realize one s fullest potential o later added need for self transcendence transpersonal states and mystical awareness spirituality etc growth needs o ongoing motivation for self enhancement o not necessary for survival of basic well being o don t work like drives not tension satiation o rather fulfillment brings meaning and growth o less potent Status of Maslow s hierarchy higher levels people who haven t achieved lower level needs can focus on and attain o Maslow if lower level needs aren t met just need to focus on higher level needs more strongly more difficult but possible o multiple needs can be satisfied simultaneously PSY 0010 notes Motivation page 4 o people can choose to prioritize higher needs over lower needs research on ostracism being feeling excluded ignored o effects depression anxiety self defeating behaviors aggression anger o therefore belonging is a fundamental need research on bonding and attachment o Harry Harlow separated infant rhesus monkeys from their mother just after birth monkeys normally spend early days clinging to mothers provided two surrogate mothers wire milk warm cloth monkey face milk where would infant monkeys spend their time monkeys clung to cloth mother only went to wire to feed therefore positive contact o John Bowlby British psychoanalyst argued there is a fundamental need for attachment as basic as need for nourishment proximity and survival o clinging smiling crying keep mother close o safety security and love needs are developmentally intertwined o safety love needs as fundamental as physiological needs research on self esteem o self evaluation motives self assessment perceive ourselves accurately self verification confirm what we already believe about