Motivation

• Motivation


  The driving force behind human actions
• Biological perspective


  • Looks at the physical basis for animal and human behaviour, including the brain, immune system, nervous system and genetics
  • Stresses the importance of nature over nurture
• Emotions


  Reactions that human beings experience in response to events or situations
• Emotions have a strong influence on our daily lives
• Emotions


  • Panic, anger, love, hatred
• Social psychology


  • Understands how each person's behaviour is influenced by the social environment
  • Decisions and behaviours depend on who is present
• Social needs in humans

  • Achievement
  • Needs for social bonds
  • Autonomy- need for independence
  • Nurturance motivation- to nourish and protect others
  • Dominance- to influence and control others
  • Exhibition motive- need to make an impression on others
  • Order motive- need to be ordered and tidy and organised
  • Play motive- need for fun, relaxation and amusement
• Cognitive psychology


  • Involves the study of internal mental processes, including perception, thinking, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and learning
  • People's perceptions, beliefs and expectations influence their behaviour
• Cognitive influences on behaviour

  • Arrogance or timidity
  • Confidence in ability to perform despite lack of talent
• • E.g. of biological needs in humans
  • Hunger, thirst
  • Sex
  • Temperature
  • Excretory
  • Sleep and rest
  • Activity
  • Aggression