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What Drives Us: Hunger, Sex, Friendship, And Achievement

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How well I [DM] remember the response to my first discussion question in a new introductory psychology class. Several hands rose, along with one left foot. The foot belonged to Chris Klein, who was the unlikeliest person to have made it to that class. At birth, Chris suffered oxygen deprivation that required 40 minutes of CPR. “One doctor wanted to let him go,” recalls his mother.

The result was severe cerebral palsy. With damage to the brain area that controls muscle movement, Chris is unable to control his constantly moving hands (on which he wears protective padded gloves). He cannot feed, dress, or care for himself. And he cannot speak. But what Chris does have is a keen mind and a mobile left foot. With that blessed foot he controls the joystick on his motorized wheelchair. Using his big toe, he can type sentences, which his communication system can store, e-mail, or speak. And Chris has motivation, lots of motivation.

When Chris was a high school student in suburban Chicago, three teachers doubted he would be able to leave home for college. Yet he persisted, and, with lots of support, he ventured out to my college called Hope. Five years later, as his left foot drove him across the stage to receive his diploma, his admiring classmates honored his achievement with a spontaneous standing ovation.

Today, Chris is an inspirational speaker for schools, churches, and community events, giving “a voice to those that have none, and a helping hand to those with disabilities.” He is president of the United States Society of Augmentative Alternative Communication. He is writing a book, Lessons from the Big Toe. And he has found love and married.

Although few of us face Chris Klein’s challenges, we all seek to direct our energy in ways that will produce satisfaction and success. We are pushed by biological motives, such as hunger and sex. And we are pulled by social motives, such as affiliation and achievement. Chris Klein’s brute will to live, learn, and love highlight the essence of our own motivations, which energize and direct our lives.

Let’s begin by looking at how psychologists have approached the study of motivation.

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