REVIEW Basic Motivational Concepts, Affiliation, and Achievement

Learning Objectives

Test Yourself by taking a moment to answer each of these Learning Objective Questions (repeated here from within the module). Research suggests that trying to answer these questions on your own will improve your long-term memory of the concepts (McDaniel et al., 2009).

Question

29-1 How do psychologists define motivation? From what perspectives do they view motivated behavior?
ANSWER: Motivation is a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior. The instinct/evolutionary perspective explores genetic influences on complex behaviors. Drive-reduction theory explores how physiological needs create aroused tension states (drives) that direct us to satisfy those needs. Environmental incentives can intensify drives. Drive-reduction's goal is homeostasis, maintaining a steady internal state. Arousal theory proposes that some behaviors (such as those driven by curiosity) do not reduce physiological needs but rather are prompted by a search for an optimum level of arousal. The Yerkes-Dodson law states that performance increases with arousal, but only to a certain point, after which it decreases. Performance peaks at lower levels of arousal for difficult tasks, and at higher levels for easy or well-learned tasks. Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs proposes a pyramid of human needs, from basic needs such as hunger and thirst up to higher-level needs such as self-actualization and self-transcendence.

Question

29-2 What evidence points to our human affiliation need—our need to belong?
ANSWER: Our need to affiliate or belong—to feel connected and identified with others—had survival value for our ancestors, which may explain why humans in every society live in groups. Because of their need to belong, people suffer when socially excluded, and they may engage in self-defeating behaviors (performing below their ability) or in antisocial behaviors. Feeling loved activates brain regions associated with reward and safety systems. Ostracism is the deliberate exclusion of individuals or groups. Social isolation can put us at risk mentally and physically.

Question

29-3 How does social networking influence us?
ANSWER: We connect with others through social networking, strengthening our relationships with those we already know. When networking, people tend toward increased self-disclosure. People with high narcissism are especially active on social networking sites. Working out strategies for self-control and disciplined usage can help people maintain a healthy balance between social connections and school and work performance.

Question

29-4 What is achievement motivation?
ANSWER: Achievement motivation is a desire for significant accomplishment, for mastery of skills or ideas, for control, and for attaining a high standard. Achievements are more closely related to grit (passionate dedication to a long-term goal) than to raw ability.

Terms and Concepts to Remember

Test yourself on these terms.

Page 377

Question

motivation (p. 366)
instinct (p. 366)
drive-reduction theory (p. 367)
homeostasis (p. 367)
incentive (p. 367)
Yerkes-Dodson law (p. 368)
hierarchy of needs (p. 368)
affiliation need (p. 369)
ostracism (p. 371)
narcissism (p. 374)
achievement motivation (p. 375)
grit (p. 376)
a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned.
a desire for significant accomplishment; for mastery of skills or ideas; for control; and for attaining a high standard.
in psychology, passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals.
a tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level.
a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.
the need to build relationships and to feel part of a group.
the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need.
a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior.
deliberate social exclusion of individuals or groups.
the principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases.
excessive self-love and self-absorption.
Maslow's pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher-level safety needs and then psychological needs become active.

Experience the Testing Effect

Test yourself repeatedly throughout your studies. This will not only help you figure out what you know and don’t know; the testing itself will help you learn and remember the information more effectively thanks to the testing effect.

Question 10.1

1. Today's evolutionary psychology shares an idea that was an underlying assumption of instinct theory. That idea is that

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 10.2

2. An example of a physiological need is ________. An example of a psychological drive is ________.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 10.3

3. Jan walks into a friend's kitchen, smells cookies baking, and begins to feel very hungry. The smell of baking cookies is a(n) (incentive/drive).

Question 10.4

4. theory attempts to explain behaviors that do NOT reduce physiological needs.

Question 10.5

5. With a challenging task, such as taking a difficult exam, performance is likely to peak when arousal is

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 10.6

6. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, our most basic needs are physiological, including the need for food and water; just above these are ________ needs.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 10.7

7. Which of the following is NOT part of the evidence presented to support the view that humans are strongly motivated by a need to belong?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 10.8

8. What are some ways to manage our social networking time successfully?
ANSWER: Monitor the time spent online, as well as our feelings about that time. Hide distracting online friends. Turn off or put away distracting devices. Consider a social networking fast, and get outside and away from technology regularly.

Use image to create your personalized study plan, which will direct you to the resources that will help you most in image .

[Leave] [Close]