Psychology Chapter on Motivation and Needs

Motivation

• Motivation is the energization and direction of behavior

Instinct Theory and Evolutionary Psychology

• William McDougall (1908) proposed instinct theory

Drive Theory

• Clark Hull (1943) proposed drive theory

Arousal Theory

Incentive Theory

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Abraham Maslow proposed the Hierarchy of Needs
• Physiological needs are basic needs for survival
• Safety needs are the need for security and stability
• Social needs are the need for love and belonging
• Esteem needs are the need for respect and self-esteem
• Self-actualization is the need to reach one's full potential
• Self-transcendence is the need to connect to something larger than oneself

The Biology of Hunger

• The stomach plays a role in hunger (Cannon & Washburn, 1912)
• The brain and hormones also play a role

Psychological Influences on Hunger

• Taste preferences influence hunger
• External cues can trigger hunger
• Social cues can also influence hunger

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image
• Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors
• Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without purging behaviors

Potential Causes of Eating Disorders

The Sexual Response Cycle

• The sexual response cycle consists of four stages:
  • Excitement
  • Plateau
  • Orgasm
  • Resolution

Hormones and Sexual Behavior

• Estrogen is a hormone that plays a role in female sexual development
• Testosterone is a hormone that plays a role in male sexual development

Sexual Orientation

• The origin of homosexuality is a complex and controversial issue with theories encompassing both psychological and biological factors

The Social Animal

• Humans are naturally oriented towards others
• Baumeister and Leary's (1995) need to belong is fundamental for human survival and well-being

The Need for Affiliation

• There are individual differences in the need for affiliation
• Affiliating with others provides both benefits and costs

The Need for Intimacy

• There are individual differences in the need for intimacy
• Intimacy provides various benefits including emotional support and security

The Need for Achievement

• David McClelland (1953) identified the need for achievement as a strong desire to accomplish difficult tasks, outperform others, and excel
• The need for achievement is correlated with certain personality traits and behaviors

The Need for Power

• David Winter (1973) identified the need for power as a strong desire to acquire prestige and influence over others

Attitudes toward Work

• Amy Wrzesniewski identified three attitudes toward work:
  • Job: work is a means to an end
  • Career: work is an opportunity for advancement
  • Calling: work is a source of meaning and purpose

Flow at Work

• Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of "flow" describes a state of complete absorption in an activity, often characterized by a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction.

This quiz explores the various theories of motivation, including instinct theory, drive theory, and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. It also covers the biological and psychological influences on hunger. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in psychology.