topic 3 basic themes in the study of motivation 1

TOPIC 3

BASIC THEMES IN THE STUDY OF MOTIVATION

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What causes behavior? Motivation theorists

• Assume that for every behavior, there is cause– Goal is to identify those causes

• Tend to be eclectic

• Want to know what instigates behavior– Biology, learning, cognition

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Approach and Avoidant Causes

• Biological basis for approach/avoidant behavior

• Individual differences may be a result of inherited amounts of each system

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Temperament: we approach life with a particular orientation that can affect everything we do and say

Dual nature: we are often being pulled in two directions (moves us forward or stops us in our tracks)

Approach and Avoidant Causes

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Approach and Avoidant Causes Approach Causes

People do things because of something they want, desire, or need

Example: People eat because they are hungry.

Sometimes the want, desire, or need does not immediately give rise to a specific goal object

Avoidant Causes

People do things to avoid something

Example: People who have anxiety at a party may leave the party.

These things are not only aversive/noxious, they are also difficult/impossible to ignore

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Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

1. Behavior represents an attempt to adapt to the environment

2. Importance of determining what arouses/energizes behavior

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3. Understanding what governs the direction of behavior

– Need theory: needs are what give direction to behavior

– Goal theory: goals create a tension, and the individuals move toward the goals to reduce that tension

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

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4. Understand persistence– One of the main predictors of success;

grows out of intrinsic motivation– Reward theory: we are inclined to repeat

behaviors that make us feel good (positive reinforcement) and discontinue behaviors that make us feel bad (negative reinforcement)

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

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5. Understanding the role of emotions– Affect theory: people approach things to

experience positive affect and avoid things to guard against experiencing negative affect

– Feelings are important determinants of behavior

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

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6. Accounting for individual differences– Motivation theorists are interested in why

individuals behave the way they do (biology, cognitions, learning)

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

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7. Self-regulation of behavior– Learning to set attainable goals, manage

negative emotions, focus attention; tendency to engage in planning

– Motivational principles are the underlying reasons people self-regulate/achieve/take control

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories

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8. Humans have will (people can create their own destiny)

– People are not mere products of biology or the environment

Eight Basic Themes of Contemporary Motivation Theories