Motivation

What motivates you to do your homework?

What motivates you to clean your room?

What motivates you to be nice to others?

What motivates you to join a club?

Group Activity: In four groups, brainstorm possible answers to

one of the questions below. Write possible answers on butcher paper and be prepared to

share your ideas with the class.

MOTIVATION is related to learning behavior because in order to learn a behavior and to repeat it, you need

to be motivated by something.

The desire to get rewards and fear of punishments motivate us, but deeper than that, we are motivated by our

needs. In this unit on motivation, we will investigate the types of needs that motivate humans the most.

MotivationThe factors that direct and energize the behavior

of humans and other organisms.

What motivates you to perform different

behaviors such as…

Cleaning your room?

Doing homework?

Being friendly?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsIn the 1950s, Abraham Maslow described 5 categories of human needs that motivate us to behave in ways that

help us fulfill those needs.

We are all motivated to

become the best human beings

we can be!

HumanismIn psychology (or any other subject), Humanism is

the belief that all humans have worth and the potential to do valuable things with their lives. It is

the belief in human goodness and ability.

Humans must fulfill the needs on the bottom of the pyramid first before

addressing the higher needs.

Physiological NeedsBefore a human being can worry about finding romance, he/she must not be starving! Motivation is related to our priorities: our most primitive needs are our first priorities.

#1Oxygen, water, food, sleep, basic health

needs (like going to the bathroom), and

sex (for reproductive purposes).

Safety/Comfort NeedsMaslow argues that people need a safe, secure,

comfortable environment in order to function effectively.

#2Shelter. Financial security to

provide for yourself and family. Knowledge that the money and things you need to survive are

protected. Job security.

Love & Belonging NeedsMaslow argues that people often fail to meet their love and belonging needs if they have not yet met all of the

basic needs first.

#3Loving family, friend, and romantic

relationships. The need to both give and receive love. A feeling of belonging

with other people.

Esteem Needs“Esteem” means respect and admiration. Maslow argues that one of the higher needs we seek to fulfill is the need

for others to recognize our worth.

#4Confidence, recognition,

accomplishments, earned respect.

Self-Actualization NeedsThis is a state of fulfillment in which people achieve their

highest potential, each in his own unique way. (This is usually interpreted as mastery of the profession or work

you choose to do in life). Self-actualization provides a feeling of being at ease with yourself, and the satisfaction of

knowing your talents are being used to the fullest.

#5Mastery of your skills,

understanding of the world, and deep understanding of who you

are and what you believe.

Video 1

Final Thoughts on Maslow:• Maslow’s hierarchy highlights the

complexity of human needs, and thus is considered a good model for thinking about how needs relate to motivation.

• Research has been unable to validate the specific ordering of Maslow’s five stages.

• The publication of Maslow’s hierarchy has inspired many other approaches to understanding motivation.

Studies show that physical rewards like MONEY work well to motivate people to do higher quality work, but

only when the work is simple (like assembling

parts in a factory).

But, when work requires complex, creative, or abstract thinking (like

software design), an increase in money actually results in lower work quality. What does increase work quality in

this situation? Freedom, purpose, the desire to try new things, and the desire to be good at something.

Studies show that physical rewards like MONEY work well to motivate people to do higher quality work, but

only when the work is simple (like assembling

parts in a factory).

This reveals that when we are motivated by self-

actualization, we are capable of doing greater things than when we are motivated by

safety/comfort ($).