Motivation drives our actions and behaviors. From intrinsic satisfaction to external rewards, various factors influence why we do what we do. Understanding these motivators helps us make sense of human behavior and decision-making processes.

Theories of motivation offer different perspectives on what drives us. From instincts and physiological needs to social factors and self-belief, these theories provide insights into the complex web of human motivation and how it shapes our lives and goals.

Types of Motivation

Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation

• Intrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity for its inherent satisfaction, enjoyment, or personal fulfillment (solving puzzles, pursuing hobbies like painting or playing an instrument)
  • Driven by internal rewards such as personal growth, curiosity, or a sense of accomplishment
  • Tends to lead to greater persistence, creativity, and overall well-being
• Extrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity to obtain external rewards or avoid punishments (studying for good grades, working overtime for a bonus, incentives)
  • Driven by external factors such as money, grades, social recognition, or avoiding negative consequences
  • Can be effective in the short-term but may undermine intrinsic motivation if overused

Theories of Motivation

Theories of motivation

• Instinct theory proposes that behavior is driven by innate, evolutionary-based instincts (aggression, nurturing)
  • Suggests certain behaviors are hardwired and universal across species
  • Criticized for being too simplistic and failing to account for individual differences and learning
• Drive reduction theory suggests motivation arises from the need to reduce physiological drives or tensions (hunger, thirst, sleep)
  • Proposes people are motivated to maintain homeostasis by satisfying basic needs
  • Limited by its focus on physiological needs and failure to explain more complex behaviors
• Self-efficacy theory emphasizes the role of an individual's belief in their ability to succeed in a task or situation
  • Suggests people with high self-efficacy are more likely to persist and achieve goals
  • Shaped by past experiences, social modeling, and verbal persuasion
  • Closely related to goal-setting as a motivational strategy
• Social motives theory focuses on the role of social factors in driving behavior (need for affiliation, power, achievement)
  • Suggests people are motivated to form social bonds, gain influence, or demonstrate competence
  • Recognizes the importance of cultural and situational factors in shaping motives

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs organizes human needs into a hierarchy, with lower-level needs taking precedence over higher-level needs
  • Five levels of needs, from bottom to top:
    1. Physiological needs (food, water, shelter)
    2. Safety needs (security, stability)
    3. Love and belonging needs (relationships, acceptance)
    4. Esteem needs (self-respect, recognition)
    5. Self-actualization needs (personal growth, fulfilling potential)
  • Suggests lower-level needs must be satisfied before focusing on higher-level needs
• Relevance to human behavior and motivation:
  • Provides a framework for understanding how different needs influence motivation
  • Suggests people are motivated to fulfill needs in a specific order, with basic needs taking priority
  • Highlights the importance of personal growth and self-actualization as the highest level of motivation
  • Criticized for its hierarchical structure and lack of empirical support, but still widely influential

Cognitive factors in motivation

• Arousal theory suggests that individuals seek an optimal level of arousal for peak performance
• Learned helplessness occurs when individuals believe they have no control over their situation, leading to decreased motivation
• Cognitive dissonance theory proposes that individuals are motivated to reduce inconsistencies between their beliefs and actions, which can influence behavior and decision-making