Understanding Motivation

• Motivation is an inner state that directs, maintains, and terminates behavior.

Types of Motivation

• Intrinsic motivation comes from within, driven by personal desires like self-growth or faith.
• Extrinsic motivation comes from outside, driven by external rewards, obligations, or avoiding negative events.

Biological Theories of Motivation

• Instincts are automatic, involuntary, unlearned behavior patterns triggered by specific stimuli.
• Drive Reduction Theory states biological needs are the primary motivator, which prompts the restoration of homeostasis.
• Drives are unpleasant internal tensions that motivate us to restore homeostasis.
• Secondary Drives are learned through association with biological drives, and are not biological.
• Arousal theory states that individuals are driven to achieve their optimal state of arousal.
• Some individuals are programmed to operate at higher levels of arousal.
• Drive reduction theory does not explain "thrill-seeking" behavior.

Incentive Theory

• Incentives are pleasant consequences that reinforce behavior.
• People are motivated by what they expect to gain from specific behaviors.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Abraham Maslow is known as the father of Humanistic Psychology.
• Maslow proposed that humans are naturally motivated to grow through a hierarchy of needs.
• Physiological needs (water, shelter, safety) are primary.
• The second need is affiliation (belonging, love, family).
• Next are esteem needs (achievement, recognition, status, respect).
• Lastly, self-actualization fulfills potentials through self-awareness, knowledge, and creativity.

Social Motivation

• The need for achievement describes a drive to meet high personal standards.
• The need for affiliation/intimacy motivates forming friendships/associations and intimate relationships.
• The need for power motivates those who want to control others.

Emotion

• Emotion includes physiological and psychological processes associated with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Emotions influence thoughts and behaviors, creating a reciprocal relationship.
• Emotions are subjective experiences.
• Emotions are short lived but moods last longer.

Categorizing Emotions

• Robert Plutchik described eight basic emotions, each with a polar opposite basic emotion, having varying degrees and combinations
• Basic Emotions: Joy, Trust, Fear, Surprise, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Anticipation
• Polar Opposites: Sadness, Disgust, Anger, Anticipation, Joy, Trust, Fear, Surprise
• Paul Ekman described six basic biological emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise.
• These emotions are accompanied by facial expressions

Communicating Emotions

• Emotional cues include:
  • Facial Expressions
  • Tone of Voice
  • Posture
  • Movements
  • Behaviors

Theories of Emotions

• The James-Lange theory proposes that the body triggers the emotional experience.
• The body's response to a stimulus is processed as an emotion.
• The Cannon-Bard theory proposes that physical response and conscious experience originate in the thalamus.
• Cognitive theory suggests that physiological and mental (cognitive) responses work together to produce emotions.

Stress

• Stress is a generalized response to a perceived threat.
• Stressors are physical, psychological, or environmental.

Signs of Stress

• Psychological = Slowed thinking, poor judgement, worrying, inability to relax
• Emotional = Depressed mood, anxiety, agitation, irritability
• Physiological = Aches and pains, nausea, chest pain, rapid heartbeat
• Behavioral = Disruption of sleep, diet, social activity, and meeting responsibilities

The General Adaptation Syndrome

• The Alarm reaction stage is similar to fight or flight.
• The Resistance Stage: is an elevated state of arousal "settles in" for the long-haul
• The Exhaustion Stage may cause signs of physical weakening which can contribute to sickness/disease

Sources of Stress

• There is “good” stress as well as negative stress.
• Holmes and Rahe created the Social Readjustment Rating Scale to quantify and rank stressful life events.
• Stress is measured by "life-changing units."

Coping With Stress

• Strategies to reduce stress include combinations of:
  • Problem Solving Skills
  • Prayer
  • Meditation & Relaxation
  • Proper Nutrition
  • Sleep & Exercise
  • Using Support Systems
  • Changing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors