An introductory text reads, motivational forces drive our behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Psychologists have proposed different theories addressing the needs that create these drives within us. Let’s look at the three most prominent theories of motivation. Some theories, like drive-reduction theory, best explain motivation related to physiological needs. Other theories focus on psychological needs, such as the need for an optimum level of stimulation, as described in arousal theory. In his hierarchy of needs, Abraham Maslow combined various drives and proposed that we are motivated to meet some needs before others.
Drive-reduction theory: The panel depicts a flow diagram with a woman at center labeled homeostasis, drinking water from a bottle. The flow diagram is as follows, equilibrium leads to balance which is disturbed by deprivation, like food and water, which lead to need; need creates a drive to restore balance, like hunger and thirst, which further leads to drive-reduction behaviors which restore balance by eating and drinking; Eating and drinking lead back to equilibrium.
Arousal theory: The panel depicts a graph with a bell shaped curve. The horizontal axis is labeled level of arousal and the vertical axis is labeled level of comfort. A region at the center is labeled optimum arousal. The left tail end of the curve is highlighted with a vertical dashed rectangular box and a vector image of a walking man is over the box with a callout that reads, boredom drives curiosity and activity-seeking behavior. The right tail end of the curve is highlighted with a vertical dashed rectangular box and the silhouette of a man descending with a parachute is over the box with a callout that reads, feels like anxiety to some, but sensation seekers are comfortable here. Text above the graph reads humans have an innate need to seek an optimal level of stimulation.
Hierarchy of needs: A pyramid lists the various physiological and psychological factors. The data from the pyramid from top to bottom is as follows,
Self-transcendence: to extend beyond self. A vector image of a woman with three outward arrows corresponds to a callout that reads, dedication to a cause, deep spiritual experiences, supporting other’s goals.
Self-actualization: to strive for one’s fullest potential. A cursive letter ‘n’ drawn with a paint brush corresponds to a callout that reads, self-fulfillment, being the best in one’s field, expressing one’s creativity.
Esteem: to achieve, to have self-respect and feelings of independence. A star is shown beside. A callout corresponding to the star reads, financial independence, completing education, competence.
Love and belongingness: to feel part of the group, to have relationships. A heart is shown beside. A callout corresponding to the heart reads, family bonds, close friends, sense of community.
Safety: to feel safe and secure. A vector image of a house is shown beside. A callout corresponding to the house reads, security, stability, shelter, protection.
Physiological: to have a balance of bodily systems. A water droplet is shown beside. A callout corresponding to the water droplet reads, food, water, sleep.
Text beside the pyramid reads, Abraham Maslow’s theory combines physiological and psychological needs in a hierarchy, or sequence. We are motivated to meet higher-level needs when physiological needs at the base of the hierarchy have been met.