The Different Theories of Motivation
What drives us to do what we do? What is the thing that drives us to survive by doing basic tasks such as eating, drinking, and sleeping? It is called motivation. Behind every action we humans do there is motivation Over the years there has been many theories on how motivation works, one of the very first was the instinct theory.
The instinct theory originated in the early 20th century as Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory became more and more popular. It became quite normal for people to go around calling many behaviors instincts. The problem with the instinctive theory was that instead of explaining things, the instinctive theory just named things. A good example the book gives is when a smart child has poor grades the instinctive theory would just describe him as an underachiever instead of finding an explanation for the problem. The lack of explanation for behavior was eventually the major down fall of the instinctive theory. After the instinctive theory crumbled and faded out the drive-reduction theory quickly replaced it.
The drive reduction theory states that a psychological need creates an aroused state that drives us to reduce that physiological need such as water, food, or sleep. The physiological goal of drive-reduction is homeostasis or, an internal balance. Below is a good visual representation of the drive reduction theory.
The instinct theory originated in the early 20th century as Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory became more and more popular. It became quite normal for people to go around calling many behaviors instincts. The problem with the instinctive theory was that instead of explaining things, the instinctive theory just named things. A good example the book gives is when a smart child has poor grades the instinctive theory would just describe him as an underachiever instead of finding an explanation for the problem. The lack of explanation for behavior was eventually the major down fall of the instinctive theory. After the instinctive theory crumbled and faded out the drive-reduction theory quickly replaced it.
The drive reduction theory states that a psychological need creates an aroused state that drives us to reduce that physiological need such as water, food, or sleep. The physiological goal of drive-reduction is homeostasis or, an internal balance. Below is a good visual representation of the drive reduction theory.
The drive reduction theory is a solid theory that is still used to today, but there is a problem with drive reduction: We humans are more than just homeostatic organisms, who's only goal is day to day survival. We attempt to meet many other goals than just basic needs or survival. The arousal theory of motivation argues that humans are driven by curiosity, not simply just physiological needs.
To explain how our basic physiological needs and other needs such as belonging exist together we have Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Abraham Maslow constructed his hierarchy of needs in 1970 and he emphasizes the need to satisfy your basic needs such as food and hunger before any other needs are met. Below is a picture of Maslow's Heirchy. The "pyramid of needs" helps to visually show what needs need to be met first.
To explain how our basic physiological needs and other needs such as belonging exist together we have Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Abraham Maslow constructed his hierarchy of needs in 1970 and he emphasizes the need to satisfy your basic needs such as food and hunger before any other needs are met. Below is a picture of Maslow's Heirchy. The "pyramid of needs" helps to visually show what needs need to be met first.
Lets create an example of when Maslow's Hierarchy comes into play in peoples day to day lives. Lets say that you are in an argument with someone who means a lot to you such as a boyfriend/girlfriend or a close friend. If your physiological needs and safety are met you will care about the augment and actively seek to resolve it, but if you are hungry or your safety is a concern to you in some way you will not really care, and have no interest in solving the argument.
Below I have posted a links. The first is a link to a youtube video that goes over Maslow's hierarchy. It goes in depth in each of the levels of the pyramid and that's the main part I found useful about that video. My second recourse that helped me find examples and form my own examples was my text book. All the information I used can be found on 418-420.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH04OsNuvcw
Recourse:
Psychology Tenth Edition in Modules
Below I have posted a links. The first is a link to a youtube video that goes over Maslow's hierarchy. It goes in depth in each of the levels of the pyramid and that's the main part I found useful about that video. My second recourse that helped me find examples and form my own examples was my text book. All the information I used can be found on 418-420.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH04OsNuvcw
Recourse:
Psychology Tenth Edition in Modules