Intro to Motivation Notes for AP Psychology by Mandy Rice
Short Summary:
This AP Psychology lecture introduces motivation theories. The lecture explores various factors influencing motivation (biological, emotional, cognitive, and social) and details five key theories: instinct/evolutionary theory, drive-reduction theory, incentive theory, optimum arousal theory, and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The lecture uses examples like Aron Ralston's arm-severing incident to illustrate motivation's power and discusses how these theories explain human behavior, highlighting the differences between internal drives and external incentives. The implications are a better understanding of why humans behave as they do, considering both internal and external factors. The lecture explains each theory with examples and contrasts them to show their nuances.
Detailed Summary:
The lecture is divided into sections focusing on different motivation theories.
Section 1: Introduction to Motivation
This section defines motivation as the initiation, direction, intensity, and persistence of behavior. It uses the example of Aron Ralston, who cut off his own arm to survive, to highlight the powerful influence of motivation, emphasizing that survival instinct alone is insufficient explanation.
Section 2: Factors Influencing Motivation
Four factors are identified: biological (food, water, temperature, sleep, sex); emotional (panic, fear, anger, love, hatred); cognitive (perceptions, beliefs, expectations); and social (reactions from others, media, culture).
Section 3: Instinct and Evolutionary Theories
This section explains instinct as an innate, automatic response to a specific stimulus, highlighting its evolutionary advantage for survival. However, it argues that humans, unlike many animals, lack complex instinctual behaviors beyond basic reflexes present at birth (rooting, sucking, startle reflexes). The speaker explicitly refutes the idea of a maternal instinct as a genetically ingrained behavior.
Section 4: Drive-Reduction Theory
This section introduces homeostasis as a state of balance and drive-reduction theory as the motivation to reduce imbalances (drives) created by needs. Hunger and thirst are used as examples, emphasizing the cognitive and emotional components beyond mere physiological needs. The speaker explains that the drive is not just the physiological need but also the anxiety and urge to act.
Section 5: Incentive Theory
This theory posits that behavior is driven by desirable stimuli (pulling us) and avoiding undesirable ones. It contrasts with drive-reduction theory, which focuses on internal pushes. The example of a cookie as a reward for chores illustrates the concept of external incentives influencing behavior.
Section 6: Optimum Arousal Theory
This theory suggests that humans seek an optimal level of arousal, neither boredom nor overwhelming stress. The speaker clarifies that arousal refers to alertness, not just sexual arousal. Aron Ralston is cited as an example of someone with a higher optimal arousal level. The exploration of environments by young monkeys and children is presented as evidence of arousal-seeking behavior beyond basic needs.
Section 7: Yerkes-Dodson Law
This section explains the Yerkes-Dodson Law, stating that performance is best at moderate arousal levels, neither too high nor too low. It expands on the optimum arousal theory by linking arousal levels (measurable by brain activity, heart rate, muscle tension) to performance.
Section 8: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
This section introduces Maslow's hierarchy, emphasizing the sequential fulfillment of needs: physiological, safety, belongingness and love, esteem, and self-actualization. The speaker highlights that needs don't have to be 100% met to move to the next level and that the average person's progress through the hierarchy is not complete. The speaker uses the example of someone starving themselves for a political cause to illustrate exceptions to the hierarchy's strict order. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding all five levels and their order.