Understanding Motivation and the Motivation Cycle

Introduction to Motivation

• Motivation is a force that drives behavior and underlies actions.
• It originates from the Latin word "movere," signifying movement.
• Motivation serves as a critical factor determining behavior.
• Instincts, drives, needs, goals, and incentives are encompassed by motivation.

The Motivation Cycle

• The cycle starts with a need, the lack of something essential.
• This prompts a drive, which is an aroused state disrupting the body's homeostasis.
• The drive initiates goal-directed behavior aimed at fulfilling the need.
• Achievement is marked by reaching the goal and satisfying the need.
• This leads to a reduction of arousal, lessening awareness of the need.
• The cycle continues as new needs arise, illustrating the ongoing nature of motivation.

Types of Motives

• Motives or needs are categorized into biological and psychosocial types.

Biological Motives

• Biological motives include hunger, thirst, and sex.
• These are fundamental and shared with animals.
• Hunger and thirst are vital for survival.
• The sex drive ensures reproduction.
• Hunger is controlled by various brain structures.

Psycho Social Motives

• Psychosocial motives consider the interplay of psychological, social, and environmental factors in motivation.
• Examples of psychosocial motives:
  • The need for achievement, or accomplishing new things
  • The need for affiliation, or relating with other people
  • The need for power, or influencing others
• Curiosity and exploration are also psychosocial motives.
• Self-actualization involves realizing one's full potential.
  • Maslow's hierarchy of needs is the best explanation of this

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Maslow's hierarchy orders needs as follows:
  • Physiological needs (air, water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing, reproduction)
  • Safety needs (security, safety)
  • Love and belonging needs (intimacy, connection)
  • Esteem needs (prestige, accomplishment)
  • Self-actualization needs (achieving full potential)
• Lower-level needs must be satisfied before addressing higher-level ones.

Introduction to Emotion

• Emotions are complex patterns involving arousal, feelings, and interpretation.
• Consideration must be made to these interpretations
  • Awareness
  • Subjective feeling
  • Cognitive interpretation

Basic Emotions

• Six basic emotions exist which include anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise.
• Some suggest 10 basic emotions, while others vary.
  • These feelings include joy, shock, wrath, disgust, contempt, fear, shame, guilt, interest, and excitement.
  • Primary emotions combine to create other feelings.
• Eight primary emotions in opposing pairs (e.g., joy vs. sadness, acceptance vs. disgust) are another theory.

Influences on Emotion

• Gender, personality, circumstances, and psychological issues can affect emotions.
• Women tend to experience emotions more intensely than men, except for anger.
• Men are observed to express anger more often.
• Emotional experiences can be significantly altered in those with psychological disorders (e.g., schizophrenia).

Expression of Emotion

• Emotions are inferred because they are internal
• Culture influences emotions.
• Emotions are inferred from verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Key aspects include:
  • Nonverbal (facial, body signals)
  • Verbal (in speaking)
• Nonverbal Communication:
  • Facial expressions
  • Body language
  • Gestures
  • Gaze behavior
  • Proxemics

Universal Facial Expressions

• Darwin proposed that basic emotions have universal facial expressions.
• Facial expressions like joy and fear are inborn.

Nonverbal Emotion Communication

• Body language and gestures impact communication.
• Cultural variations exist.

Managing Negative Emotions

• Self-awareness and objectivity toward emotions is important to develop.
• Managing anger is important since it can be a harmful emotion.
• Anger is self-induced
• Therefore it is a choice, not a reflex.

How to increase Positive Emotions

• Positive emotions include hope, happiness, and optimism.
• Seek out positive aspects of life to enhance positive emotions.
• Maintain strong interpersonal relationships.
• Engage in work and life events.
• Cultivate faith, optimism, and positive interpretations.

Explore the concept of motivation as the driving force behind behavior, originating from the Latin word 'movere.' Learn about the motivation cycle, starting with a need, leading to a drive, goal-directed behavior, achievement, and reduction of arousal. Understand how this cycle continuously shapes human actions.