Motivation

• Motivation


  The driving force behind human actions
• Motivation (definition)


  The process that initiates, guides and maintains goal-orientated behaviours
• Forces included in motivation

  • Biological
  • Emotional
  • Social
  • Cognitive
• Animals behave in instinctive ways when certain energies reach critical levels
• This energy builds up and needs to be released
• If energy is not released through a preferred outlet it will spill over into a less preferred one
• Biological perspective


  • A way of looking at psychological issues by studying the physical basis for animal and human behaviour
  • One of the major perspectives in psychology
  • Involves studying the brain, immune system, nervous system and genetics
• Nature versus nurture debate


  Nurture suggests the environment plays the greatest role in shaping behaviours
• Biological perspective


  Tends to stress the importance of nature
• Emotions


  Reactions that human beings experience in response to events or situations
• The type of emotion a person experiences is determined by the circumstances that trigger the emotion
• Emotions have a strong influence on our daily lives
• We make decisions based on whether we are happy, sad, or angry
• We choose activities or hobbies based on the emotions they incite
• Understanding emotions can help us navigate life with greater ease and stability
• Emotions influencing behaviours


  • Panic
  • Anger
  • Love
  • Hatred
• Emotions can influence behaviours ranging from selfless giving to brutal murder
• Social psychology


  Understanding how each person’s behaviour is influenced by the social environment
• Social influences


  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Siblings
  • Friends
  • Television
• The decisions you make and the behaviours you exhibit might depend on how many people are present and who you are around
• Cognitive psychology


  The study of internal mental processes
• Internal mental processes


  • Perception
  • Thinking
  • Memory
  • Attention
  • Language
  • Problem-solving
  • Learning
• People’s perceptions of the world influence their behaviour
• Beliefs about what they can and cannot do influence behaviour
• Expectations about how others will respond influence behaviour
• Behaviour influenced by perceptions

  • Arrogant
  • Timid