Motivation

 Motivation- Internal processes that guide,

activate and maintain behaviour.

 Why do people behave the way they do?

 Why some people become high achievers and
some not?

 Biological motives and social motives- how

different are they?
 Theories of Motivation
 Drive Theory
 Arousal Theory
 Expectancy Theory
 Goal-setting theory

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Drive Theory

Drive Theory
• Hunger, thirst, fatigue, etc.
• Motivation is basically a process in which various biological
needs PUSH us to actions
• Whatever satisfies these needs are strengthened and need to be
repeated
• Those that fail to satisfy the needs are weakened.
 Arousal Theory
 Arousal: our general level of activation
 May fluctuate
 Optimization NOT Minimization
 Biological influences??
 Yerkes-Dodson law
 There is a relationship between,
optimal performance and the level
of arousal necessary.
 Cognitive Approaches: The Thoughts
Behind Motivation

 Suggest that motivation is a product of

people’s thoughts, expectations, and
goals
 Intrinsic motivation
• Causes us to participate in an activity
for our own enjoyment

 Extrinsic motivation
– Causes us to do something for
some concrete, tangible reward
 Expectancy Theory
 Behavior is determined by expectations
(desirable outcomes).
 Thoughts about future PULL your behavior.
 Incentives: almost anything we have learned to
value.
Applications
 Work motivation—

 People work hard only if they think this will

improve their performance
 Good performance will be recognized and
valued
Goal setting theory
 Motivation can be strongly influenced by goals

Setting specific and challenging but attainable

goals can boost motivation and performance
It works best when people get feedback on their
performance
Maslow’s Hierarchy

Self
Actualization

Esteem

Love and Belongingness

Safety Needs

Physiological Needs