4.6 - Motivation

Motivation

• Motivation: The factors that initiate, direct, and sustain our behavior.

Theories of Motivation

• Instinct/Evolutionary Theory:

  • Behaviors are driven by innate, biological instincts aimed at survival and reproduction.

  • Limitations:

    • Human instincts are less rigid than in animals.

    • Many behaviors are learned, not purely instinctive.

• Drive-Reduction Theory:

  • Key Idea: Physiological needs create an internal drive that motivates us to reduce the imbalance and restore homeostasis (balance).

  • Example: Hunger (need) -> Drive to eat -> Eating (drive-reducing behavior).

• Incentive Theory: We are motivated by external rewards and punishments (incentives).

  • Example: Studying for a good grade (positive incentive) or avoiding a speeding ticket (negative incentive).

• Yerkes-Dodson Law:

  • Key Idea: Performance is best at moderate levels of arousal.

  • Too Low Arousal: Boredom, lack of motivation

  • Too High Arousal: Anxiety, impaired performance

• Self-determination theory: proposes that people are motivated by intrinsic (internal) or extrinsic (external) motivations.

• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation:

  • Intrinsic Motivation: The desire to perform a behavior for its own sake, because it's enjoyable or satisfying.

  • Extrinsic Motivation: The desire to perform a behavior to receive external rewards or avoid punishment.

Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts

Theory proposes that choices create conflicts one must resolve as the basis of motivation.

• Approach-Approach Conflict: Choosing between two desirable options.

• Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict: Choosing between two undesirable options.

• Approach-Avoidance Conflict: A single goal or option has both positive and negative aspects.

Sensation-Seeking Theory

• Proposes that the need for varied or novel experiences drives motivation.

• Types of Sensation Seeking:

  • Experience Seeking: Desire for new and different experiences.

  • Thrill or Adventure Seeking: Pursuit of excitement and physical risks.

  • Disinhibition: Preference for letting loose and engaging in unrestrained activities.

  • Boredom Susceptibility: Tendency to become easily bored and seek stimulation.

Hunger

• Washburn's Study: Showed a link between stomach contractions and feelings of hunger.

• The Brain's Role:

  • Lateral Hypothalamus: Triggers hunger.

  • Ventromedial Hypothalamus: Signals satiety (feeling full).

Psychology of Hunger: More than Just an Empty Stomach

• External Cues: The sight and smell of food can trigger hunger even if we're not physically hungry.

• Social and Cultural Factors: Eating habits and preferences are influenced by our culture and social environment.

• Emotional Eating: Stress, anxiety, and depression can affect our eating patterns.

Set-Point Theory

• Key Idea: Our body has a "weight thermostat" that tries to keep our weight stable.

• How it Works: If we fall below our set point, our body tries to increase food intake and decrease energy expenditure. The opposite happens if we go above our set point.

• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The body's resting rate of energy expenditure, adjusts to help maintain the set point.

Appetite Hormones

• Leptin: Hormone secreted by fat cells. When abundant, it causes the brain to increase metabolism and decrease hunger.

• Orexin: Hunger-triggering hormone secreted by the hypothalamus.

• Ghrelin: Hormone secreted by empty stomach signaling hunger to the brain.

• PYY: Hormone secreted by the empty stomach signaling satiety (fullness) to the brain.