Psychology: Theories of Motivation

Study Notes

Motivation is the driving force behind goal-directed activities, energizing, directing, and sustaining our efforts. It stems from the Latin word "movere," meaning "to move."

Sigmund Freud proposed that human behavior is driven by life and death instincts.
Konrad Lorenz observed the imprinting behavior of animals, suggesting a biological basis for certain behaviors.
Herding behavior in animals is another example of instinctive tendencies.

This theory posits that physiological needs give rise to drives that motivate us to satisfy those needs, achieving a state of homeostasis.
Hull's Drive Reduction Theory highlights the role of drives in motivating behavior.
Primary drives are innate and essential for survival, such as thirst, hunger, and sex drive.
Secondary drives are learned and often satisfy primary drives indirectly, such as the desire for wealth.

People are motivated by rewards and avoid negative consequences, leading to what is known as incentive theory.
Intrinsic motivation arises from personal satisfaction, while extrinsic motivation stems from external rewards or punishments.

Operant (trial & error) conditioning, pioneered by Skinner and Thorndike, emphasizes learning through repeated trials and rewards.
Reinforcement strengthens a behavior through the addition or removal of a stimulus.
Punishment weakens a behavior through the addition or removal of a stimulus.
Learned helplessness, described by Martin Seligman, occurs when an organism experiences repeated failures despite efforts and eventually gives up, leading to depression.