33 Basic Motivational Concepts

Module 33 Introduction

Basic Motivational Concepts

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A motivated man: Chris Klein To see and hear Chris presenting his story, visit tinyurl.com/ChrisPsychStudent.

33-1 How do psychologists define motivation? From what perspectives do they view motivated behavior?

Psychologists define motivation as a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior. Our motivations arise from the interplay between nature (the bodily “push”) and nurture (the “pulls” from our thought processes and culture). Consider four perspectives for viewing motivated behaviors:

Instinct theory (now replaced by the evolutionary perspective) focuses on genetically predisposed behaviors.
Drive-reduction theory focuses on how we respond to our inner pushes.
Arousal theory focuses on finding the right level of stimulation.
And Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs focuses on the priority of some needs over others.