Motivation

NEEDS, DESIRES, and GOALS

TWO COMPONENTS OF MOTIVATION:

1. Direction of the motivation

2. Strength of the motivation

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOTIVATION:

Intrinsic motivation:

Extrinsic motivation:

HIERARCHICAL MODELS

1. MASLOW’S HEIRARCHY OF NEEDS

Self-Actualization needs

Deficiency needs (D-Needs)

2. BROAD VS. NARROW GOALS

Broad goals------------------> Narrow, concrete goals

unconscious conscious, day to day

activities

e.g., from Becker’s analysis

Self-Esteem----> be smart---> good grades---> do good on tests---> read & study---> turn pages---> move fingers etc.

Most of the time we are focused on mid level goals-- studying for exams—but we rarely contemplate the broader goals that are motivating us.

WHAT ARE THE BROADER LEVEL GOALS?

1. Self-preservation: To live long

2. Growth/enrichment: To prosper

3. Sex

SELF-PRESERVATION

1. Regulatory motives

2. Defensive motives

GROWTH/ENRICHMENT

1. Curiosity, the need to explore, creativity, desire for challenge

2. Flow experiences: one’s abilities are perfectly suited for the level of challenge that one faces.

Csikszentmihalyi

THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN SECURITY AND ENRICHMENT

1. A person needs security to allow for the pursuit of enrichment

2. Enrichment and growth can intensify security needs

APPLICATION OF THE SECURITY VS. ENRICHMENT MOTIVATIONS

Achievement motivation

Relationships

General implications and neurophysiological substrates

1) balancing the two motives

2) brain activation and motivation