Motivationand Emotion

MOTIVATION

Ever wonder why some people seem to be very successful, highly motivated individuals? Where does the energy, the drive, or the direction come from? Motivation is an area of psychology that has gotten a great deal of attention, especially in the recent years. The reason is because we all want to be successful, we all want direction and drive, and we all want to be seen as motivated.

Motive comes from the Latin word “movere” meaning to move.

Motivation – “why” of behavior.

- defined as the desires, needs and interests that arouse or activate an organism and direct it toward a specific goal.

Need – a bodily deficit like lack of food, or a state of deprivation such as lack of oxygen.

Drive – a state of uncomfortable tension that spurs activity until a goal or incentive is reached.

- a state of tension that occurs when a need is not met.

Drive reduction - a set of behaviors designed to reduce or eliminate bodily tension.

Goal or Incentive – it is the objective (a condition or state) which the motivated organism seeks to attain in order to satisfy some need.

Cycle of Motivation

motives

(need)

goal instrumental behavior/action

(satisfaction of a need) (drive)

Principles of Motivation

1. Many of our motives are learned 3. Motives arise from within and without

2. Motives can change 4. The underlying unity of motivation

Classification of Motivation

1. physiological motives – also referred to as primary, biological and unlearned motives. These include hunger, thirst, sleep, air hunger, relief from pain, and elimination drives.

2. social or psychological motives – also referred to as meta needs, secondary, learned and derived motives.

These include:

a. achievement motive – involves the concern over competition and the desire to live up to a standard of excellence.

b. altruism motive – behavior carried out to benefit another...