16 basic desire theory of motivation

• Latest theory of
motivation

• Gained popularity in
recent years

• Proposed by Steven
Reiss in 1998, a leading
professor in ohio state
university of medicine.
 Story behind this theory
• This man cheated
death in 1995.
• Got a serious problem
in liver but managed
to survive after a
series of painful
medical practises.
• Got d stimuli to
propose this theory.
 The pleasure priniciple
• Many psychologists have assumed that human
behaviour is guided by desire to feel good.

• They are called pleasure theorists or

hedonists.

• Steven Reiss oppose this idea.

 Then what drives us…….
• Plato ------------------------- curiousity

• Sigmund Freud------------- sex/libido

• Alfred adler----------------- superiority

• William james and william mc dougall proposed ’the

principles of psychology ’ with a list of basic instinctual
desires.

• Saving, construction, curiousity, exhibition, family, hunting,

order, play, sex, shame, pain, herd(social contact),
vengeance.
 Then came abraham maslow……..

• Abraham Maslow, was the first person to come out

with a satisfying motivation theory, with a look
of human nature primarily from a
motivational perspective.

• Steven Reiss appreciates Maslow for this approach.

• What he did is extended his idea with a list of 16

basic desires
 Lets look into our theory
• All desires are trait motive.

• This theory guide us towards value based

happiness (and not feel good
happiness).

• A bridge between philosophy and psychology.

 A table of basic desires
Basic desire Associated emotion Behaviour
Power Competence, influence Leadership, achievement
Independence Freedom Self reliance
Curiousity wonderment Truth seeking, problem
solving
Acceptance Self confidence Assertive behaviour
order Security, stability Makes many rules, clean,
“perfect”, compulsive
saving Ownership Collecting, frugality
Honor Loyalty Character, morality,
principled behaviour
Idealism Compassion , sense of Social causes, fair play
justice
 A table of basic desires(contd.)
Basic desire Associated emotion Behaviour
Social contact Happiness, belonging Party, join groups, clubs
Family love Parent, homemaker
Status Self importance Concern with reputation,
showing off
Vengeance Anger, hate Revenge
Romance Lust, appreciation of Sex, courting
beauty
Eating Hunger Eating ,dining, cooking
Physical exercise Vitality Physical activity,
participatory sports
Tranquility Safety, sense of peace Avoid stressful situations
 Where is desire of survival, knowing
god, and wealth?

• Steven Reiss questions

why u want to live?
why u need wealth?
what drives you towards god?

• The answer for all these questions is hidden

within those sixteen desires!
 The seventeenth desire……?
• System of 16 basic desires theory is a scientific
theory.
• For anyone who are interested in adding 17th desire….
->It must be valued intrinsically rather
than its effects on something else.
->must have explanatory significance.
->must be largely unconnected to the 16
basic desires.
 Marlon Brando as godfather
• High –power , order,
honor, status.

• Low-eating, tranqulity
 Al pacino as scarface
• High- power,
independence, family ,
romance, vengeance.

• Low-honor, tranquility.
 Veeru in Raavan
• High – sex, vengeance,
honor.

• Low- tranquility.
 Harrison ford as Indiana jones
• High- curiousity, honor,
physical activity.

• Low-acceptance,
tranquility.
 Legendary hero -zorro
• High –honor ,
independence ,
romance.

• Low- tranquility.
 Shahid as scoundrels in kaminey
• High- saving

• Low- order, honor .

 Che guevera
• High –honor

• Low-romance, power,
saving.
 Mgr as aayirthil oruvan
• High-order,
independence, physical
exercise, honor.

• Low-saving, power.
 Vandiya devan in ponniyin selvan
• High- honor, romance,
tranquility.

• Low- power.
 Lead role in naan mahan alla
• High- vengeance,
family.

• Low- order, idealism,

saving.
 Kumar in pudhupettai
• High- power, sex,
family.

• Low- honor, idealism.

 gandhiji
• High- idealism, honor,
independence.

• Low- physical exercise.

 Kabir khan in chak de india
• High- honor,
acceptance, order.

• Low- tranquility.
 SRK as Don
• High-power,
vengenance, sex.

• Low- family, honor.

 Fletcher in dasavatharam
• High –power, sex.

• Low- family, idealism.

 Lead role in the same film
• High-honor, idealism.

• Low- physical exercise,

tranquility.
 Deva in ayan
• High – curiousity,
honor, vengeance.

• Low-saving, order.
 Rajini as baba
• High- curiousity,
idealism, power.

• Low-saving, order,
romance.
 fictional character Agent 47
• High –vengeance,
physical activity.

• Low-family,sex.
 Lastly- the absolute idiot
Thanks to Steven
Reiss, our sir,
and to you all for
your patience.

(And please don’t ask any

questions……yeah I
have high tranquility!)