Motivation
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Drive-reduction theory/draɪv rɪˈdʌkʃn ˈθɪəri/ | The account that behaviour is motivated by reducing internal tension arising from unmet biological needs. |
| Arousal theory/əˈraʊzl ˈθɪəri/ | The account that behaviour can be motivated by maintaining a preferred level of stimulation or alertness. |
| intrinsic/ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk/ | intrinsic |
| extrinsic/ekˈstrɪnsɪk/ | extrinsic |
| Self-determination theory/self dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃn ˈθɪəri/ | A theory emphasising autonomy, competence and relatedness as psychological needs supporting motivation. |
| Lewin's motivational conflicts theory/ˈluːɪnz ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃənl ˈkɒnflɪkts ˈθɪəri/ | Lewin's motivational conflicts theory |
| approach-avoidance/əˈprəʊtʃ əˈvɔɪdəns/ | A conflict in which the same goal has both attractive and unattractive features. |
| Sensation-seeking theory/senˈseɪʃn ˈsiːkɪŋ ˈθɪəri/ | An account of individual differences in seeking novel, varied or intense experiences and stimulation. |
| Belongingness/bɪˈlɒŋɪŋnəs/ | A motive in its own right, not a by-product of other needs. |
Paying someone to do what they already enjoy can make them stop
- Rewards do not simply add motivation — sometimes they replace it.
- That means motivation is not one quantity that goes up and down.
- The theories in this topic each explain a different kind of wanting.
Needs and arousal
- Drive-reduction theory 驱力减少理论 says behaviour serves to restore a physical need to balance.
- Arousal theory 唤醒理论 says people seek an optimal level of stimulation, not the lowest.
- That is why boredom motivates action just as hunger does.
The Yerkes-Dodson law: performance peaks at moderate arousal, lower for difficult tasks
Arousal theory says people seek an ____ level of stimulation.
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Not the lowest — which is why boredom motivates action.
Intrinsic and extrinsic
- Self-determination theory 自我决定理论 distinguishes intrinsic 内在 motivation from extrinsic 外在 motivation.
- Intrinsic motivation comes from the activity itself; extrinsic from a separable outcome.
- Adding a reward to an intrinsically motivating task can reduce the intrinsic motivation — the overjustification effect.
Which motivation theory?
Sort each explanation by the theory it comes from.
Rewarding someone for an activity they already enjoy can...
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The reward can replace intrinsic motivation with an extrinsic one, which then stops.
Match each motivation to its type.
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The source of the motive is what names it: the activity, an outcome, or a need.
Arousal theory does not say people seek the least stimulation. It says they seek an optimal level — which is why an under-stimulated person will actively look for something to do. Drive reduction and arousal theory make different predictions here.
Select all the conflict types Lewin's theory names.
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There is no "arousal-avoidance" conflict in the CED's list.
Conflicts and sensation seeking
- Lewin's motivational conflicts theory 勒温动机冲突理论 says choices create conflicts to resolve.
- The named types are approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance and approach-avoidance 趋避冲突.
- Sensation-seeking theory 感觉寻求理论 says the need for varied or novel experience differs between people.
The CED treats belongingness as a motive in its own right.
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It is not a by-product of physical needs; it motivates behaviour directly.
Eating and belonging
- Eating is a complex motivated behaviour where physical and mental processes interact.
- Hunger has physiological signals, but portion size, social setting and habit all change what is eaten.
- Belongingness 归属需要 is a motive in its own right, not a by-product of other needs.
Children who enjoyed drawing were given a certificate for doing it. When the certificates stopped, they drew less than children who were never rewarded. The reward replaced the intrinsic motivation with an extrinsic one, and then it was withdrawn.
Drive-reduction theory explains motives that restore balance; arousal theory explains seeking an optimal level of stimulation. Self-determination theory separates intrinsic from extrinsic motivation, Lewin's theory names three conflict types, and eating and belongingness are the CED's two worked motives.
Write from hunger falling from 8 to 2
- Hunger falls from 8 out of 10 to 2 after a meal. Later, a bored person chooses a difficult puzzle.
- Match each action to a motivation theory.
Hunger falls from 8 out of 10 to 2 after a meal. A bored person then chooses a difficult puzzle. Which motivation theories fit?
A tissue need that falls has been reduced. A puzzle chosen from boredom regulates arousal.
What does the meal illustrate?
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Hunger fell from 8 to 2. That restored balance is drive reduction.