MOTIVATION

INTRODUCTION

Motivation is related with why people act and think the way they do i.e.
what makes them tick. Motivation - in psychology, is the aim of achieving a
goal, which leads to goal-directed behavior. You can explain some human
activity by thinking of an inner directing drive that is purposeful behavior.
Drive could be said to be an innate biological mechanism that
determines the person’s behavior (instinct), a motive is defined as an inborn
mechanism personalized by learning. By looking at motivation from this
angle than you can say human drives act to satisfy biological needs, such as
hunger, while motives serve to satisfy needs that are not to do with what your
body needs, such as companionship. Learned motives are sometimes linked
with drives; e.g., the motivation to achieve social status is often viewed as a
result of the sex drive. Motives are sometimes classed as deficiency motives,
such as the need to remove the physiological deficiency of hunger or thirst, or
abundancy motives, i.e., motives to attain greater satisfaction and inspiration.
Most motivation theorists assume that motivation is involved in the
performance of all learned responses; that is, a learned behavior will not
occur unless it is energized. The major question among psychologists, in
general, is whether motivation is a primary or secondary influence on
behavior. That is, are changes in behavior better explained by principles of
environmental/ecological influences, perception, memory,
cognitive development, or emotion.

They are many theories of behavior from different opinions. These

differences show us motives may vary with regard to a number of
features, including;
o internal or external
o Innate or learned
o Mechanistic or cognitive
o Conscience or unconscious

Another theory came from a man named Maslow. According to Maslow,

there are general types of needs (physiological, safety, love, and esteem) that
must be satisfied before a person can act unselfishly. He called these needs

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 "deficiency needs." As long as we are motivated to satisfy these cravings,
we are moving towards growth, toward self-actualization. Below is a
diagram of Maslows hierarchy of needs.

Cognitive motives Two very important cognitive motives are cognitive

consistency and need for achievement.
Cognitive psychologists such as Albert Bandura have suggested that
individual mental processes, such as beliefs, play an important role in
motivation, through the expectation of certain support for certain behaviors.
Studies have shown animals-including humans, are likely to seek sensory
stimulation, even where there may be no predictable aim. Various tools
(from recent years) for brain scanning have worked toward the discovery of
a neurological basis for motivation.
According to various theories, motivation may be started in the basic
need to minimize physical pain and maximize pleasure, or it may include
specific needs such as eating and resting, or a desired object, hobby, goal,
state of being, ideal, or it may be attributed to less-apparent reasons such as
altruism(humanity), or morality, or overcoming mortality

Motivation is the set of reasons that determines one to engage in a particular

behavior. The term is generally used for human motivation but, theoretically,

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it can be used to describe the causes for animal behavior as well. Why do
people do the things they do? They are many other theories of the cause of
human motivation, which may include:

Homeostatic drive theory a process where an organism maintains a

fairly constant internal (bodily) environment i.e. if there is an imbalance
caused by e.g. bodies need for food, we get hungry.

I. Hunger pangs theory Cannon originally believed huger drive is

caused by contractions (hunger pangs) & food reduced this by
stopping the contractions.
II. Glucostatic theory According to this theory due to a decrease of the
level of blood glucose below a certain set point was the primary
stimulation for hunger.
III. Lipostatic theory (LT) Body fat is maintained at a fairly invariable
level. Fluctuations in the amount of stored fat largely determine
variations in body weight. Green’s (1994) LT focuses on the end
product of glucose metabolism-storage fats0 (lipids) in adipocytes.
IV. Dry mouth theory A dry mouth and throat are cues to thirst.

Hull’s drive-reduction theory Hull was interested in the primary

homeostatic needs. He believed all human behavior (human and animal)
originates in the satisfaction of these drives. Below is a summary of the
drive reduction theory;

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 Optimal level (or arousal) theories According to Berlyne (1960),
investigation are based on an inbuilt tendency to seek a certain
optimum level of stimulation or activity. Optimum level theories are
supported by sensory experiments.
Social motives Core social motives include belonging,
understanding, controlling, self-enhancing and trusting.
Attribution Theory our beliefs about what causes and influences
our behavior have a marked impact on our expectations and, thus,
our motivation.

Other types of motivation are Physiological needs, other biological

motivations, Secondary goals, Coercion, Self control, and Controlling
motivation. Rationalists saw humans as free to make there own decisions i.e.
choose there own courses of action, making the concept of motivation
unnecessary. Trying to understand motivation brings up all kinds of
questions such as why people do the things they do and what is the point of
life.
Below is an extract found in a motivational website:

After work, the four members of the marketing team went to the pub for their weekly get-
together. Unlike the past, today's subject was a heavy one. Instead of talking about
sports, politics, or women, they broached the subject of LIFE. Casper started. "You
know," he said, "life is nothing more than a sexually transmitted disease, and a terminal
one at that."
"You're right," Xavier chimed in, "all life is, is a substance that temporarily prevents our
bodies from rotting." On a more benign note, Spencer yawned and said, "Life is
something you do when you can't sleep."
While pushing the frame of his eyeglasses firmly on his nose, Errol added, "Here's what I
think. A person who works hard and accomplishes a great deal meets the same fate as
one that doesn't, for they both die. So, what's the point of it all if it all ends in death?"

They are many possible answers to that question which vary from scientific
explanations to psychological to religious explanations. One thing they have
in common, beside rationalists is all people seem to have a common thing
whether in them;-they have a similar drive, affected by the environment to
fit the individual.

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 MOTIVATION
Hypothesis: All humans have a similar motive that is
based on survival the best way they know how
to.

Aim: To find out what makes people tick i.e. why people
act the way they do?

Sample: 78 people
Found in 3 shopping malls across Nairobi
26 people from each mall
39 male, 39 female
Age range, 14-31yrs

Method
1) Questionnaire created, posing as research for a
theme park, only a few relevant questions to the
study(copy of questionnaire in the next page)- open
ended questions i.e. all answers were entirely from
respondents
2) Hand out questionnaire to sample group. To all 3
malls-13male, 13 female from each mall.
Researcher present when questionnaires filled.
3) Review results.

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 QUESTIONNAIRE
A NEW CONSUMER PRODUCT-A THEME PARK.
Date; Dec ’08
Time; 1200-1300

1) What would be the ideal location for a theme park?

2) Would you rather pay for tokens per ride or a single gate fee with
unlimited rides?

3) What theme should the park adopt, one targeted at families, people your
age or other (if so please specify)?

4) How old are you?

5) What is the most important thing to you and how can the park in-
corporate this into there theme?

6) To maximize consumer satisfaction -What do you hope to get from the

park?

7) What makes you tick?

8) What kind of drinks and food do you think would be suitable?

9) Any suggestions?

Thank you for your input………….

Have a nice day………

The questions in italics are the only ones relevant to study.

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 RESULTS

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE TICK.

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NO. OF mall 1
PEOPLE6
mall 2
4 mall 3

0
H S C M F Su L

PEOPLES RESPONSES
H-HAPPINESS
S-SEX

C-CAREER
M-MONEY
F-FAMILY
Su-SUCCESS
L-LOVE
H S C M F Su L
mall 1 6 4 3 2 1 4 6
mall 2 4 3 2 8 0 5 4
mall 3 11 0 1 2 5 3 4

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 INSTINCT
This is a word used to express an inborn tendency to action, or pattern of
behavior, brought out by specific motivation and satisfying very important
needs of an organism. An example of instinctive behavior is found in the
behavior of many lower animals, in which activity is performed that is not
based upon past experience, e.g., reproductive and food-gathering activity in
insects. Instinctive behavior generally acts a triggering mechanism to stir up
the organism, and it is modified by learned behavior as well as innate
regulatory mechanisms. Among animals, fixed patterns of instinctive
behavior include fighting, courtship behavior, and escape. Freud used the
term instinct when referring to human motivational forces, such as sex and
aggression.

Instincts are unlearned, inherited fixed action patterns of responses or

reactions to certain kinds of motivation. An Example of fixed action patterns
can be observed in the behavior of honeybees. They communicate by dance
the direction of a food source, all without formal instruction. Instinctual
actions are not learned, they are hard-wired and ready to use, but do depend
on maturational processes to appear.

Biological predispositions are inborn biologically vectored behaviors i.e.

carried from one organism to another, that can be easily learned. For
example in one hour a baby colt can learn to stand etc. True reflexes can be
differentiated from instincts; reflexes are controlled by spinal or other
peripheral ganglion, but instincts are the province of the brain.

Dr Beetle' believes instinct to survive is a myth. It is however an instinct

that humans can invent and practice if they like. The reason animals want to
live is not to survive, but to have more fulfillment (fun). The 'survival
instinct' appears to have originated from human misconceptions about
evolution. The desire to live arises from the memory of how good life can
feel. It also explains why survival is not the golden rule, as it can be broken
by suicide when the chance for joy and pleasure seems lost.

Dr Beetle is wrong to a large extend because it is a fact that most people

who commit suicide have depression. Alcohol and some drugs also have
depressive effects on the brain. Misuse of these substances can bring on
serious depression. That's especially true for those who already have a

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tendency to depression because of their biology, family history, or other life
stressors. Many suicide attempts occur when a person is under the influence
of alcohol or drugs. Sometimes people who feel suicidal may not even
realize they are depressed. They are unaware that it is the depression — not
the situation — that's influencing them to see things in a "there's no way
out," "it will never get better," "there's nothing I can do" kind of way. When
depression lifts because a person gets the proper therapy or treatment, the
distorted thinking is cleared. Depression is caused by a combination of
genetic (inherited), psychological and environmental factors. Once these
conditions are treated or the medication stopped or changed, the depressive
symptoms will usually go away.

Homeostatic drive theory a process where an organism maintains a

fairly constant internal (bodily) environment i.e. if there is an imbalance
caused by e.g. bodies need for food, we get hungry. This can be applied
to the survival theory because e.g. we eat to live/survive- explaining
hunger.

Maslows hierarchy of needs can be applied to the survival theory. His

hierarchy can be used to prioritize the importance of each element in
survival, bottom going up. This ties in a number of other theories.

All biological motives can be tied in with instinct.(see instinct)

Explanation of results

HAPPINESS
Happiness is a form of survival. There are two angles of looking at this. The
first one is, happier people tend to have everything people need to survive,
like food and shelter. People seeking happiness may infact be seeking those
things to ensure there survival. The second way of looking at this is
happiness lead to better health. From research carried out, it has been proven
that happiness could lead to better health.

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 (Lead author Mohammad Siahpush, Ph.D.Siahpush -a professor of health
promotion at the University of Nebraska Medical. Center in Omaha.)It’s the
opposite of a vicious cycle: Healthy people might be happier, and a new
study shows that people who are happy and satisfied with their lives might
be healthier. Happiness can boost health in as little as three years.
“Everything else being equal, if you are happy and satisfied with your life
now, you are more likely to be healthy in the future.” said Mohammad
Siahpush, Ph.D.Thier results were independent of several factors that impact
on health, such as smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption and age.

The researchers looked at data from two waves of an Australian survey

conducted in 2001 and 2004. Nearly 10,000 adults responded to items about
health indicators including the presence of long-term, limiting health
conditions and physical health. They used the question, “During the past
four weeks, have you been a happy person?” to assess happiness. They
determined satisfaction with life by asking: “All things considered, how
satisfied are you with your life?” They found strong evidence that both
happiness and life satisfaction had an effect on there indicators of health.

Happiness and life satisfaction were both associated with:

(1) Excellent, good or very good health

(2) The absence of long-term, limiting health concerns

(3) Higher levels of physical health three years later.

In addition, the results suggested that improving happiness or life

satisfaction might also result in better future health.

MONEY
Money is becoming an essential for survival in modern industrial times. The
basic human needs are becoming less accessible without money. Is Money a
Motivator? Yes, at lower levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, such as
Physiological needs, money is a motivator, it tends to have a motivating
effect. Money acting as a motivator may just prove that people work at
accessing basic needs, working at survival. Money may also be tied in with
happiness.(see happiness)

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SEX

Many scientists assume people have sex for the reasons such as to
experience sexual pleasure or to reproduce. On both counts that can be tied
to survival. Sexual pleasure brings about happiness, and as looked at earlier
happiness is a form of survival. Pro-creation is an Instinctual form of
survival. It is in all organisms including plants.
"Why people have sex is extremely important, but rarely studied," Buss said.
"Surprisingly, many scientists assume the answer is obvious”
Animals have intercourse of short duration to avoid predators and for the
continuation of the species.

FAMILY
See love.

LOVE
When asked what people seek, common answers are love-That is, most
people are narcissistically preoccupied with their immediate desires seek our
own self-satisfaction, food, shelter, money, clothing, sex, work e.g.
docters,and other pleasures. Love can be tied with happiness and sex- It can
make people happy. Love also brings together people whether family or
friends. This can be essential for survival because, e.g. when a child is born,
unlike other animals a human child is completely useless, and if not for the
bond between the child and another person the chances of that Childs
survival are scarce. Love is an example of Instinctual behavior, it is not
learned.

CAREER & SUCCESS

Career and success are closely tied. With career there is success which is a
form of ensuring survival. This is so because when we are successful we

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have access to the basic needs that ensure survival and this can promote
happiness which can also ensure survival.

CONCLUTION

Every one of us possesses an armory of instincts which keep us alive. We

are often barely aware of them, but they act every day to protect us from
danger and keep us fit and healthy.

A Baby's Cry

Within a few hours of birth, many animals are

not only feeding but standing up and walking
around. By comparison human babies are
useless. So the most important thing in a
baby's survival armory is a scream. It can
reach 97 decibels - equivalent to a pneumatic
drill.
Babies alter the pitch and Babies alter both the pitch and volume
volume of their screams depending on how urgent their need of help.
depending on how The louder and more piercing the scream the
urgently they need help. quicker the response. With this simple tactic a
human baby ensures it gets all it needs -
attention, loving care and of course food.

A Question of Taste

Without food we die. But can our instinct to eat explain why we all crave
fatty, often unhealthy, food? Like all our instincts, our appetites were formed
millions of years ago. In this uncertain world, laying down fat was the
perfect way to ensure against times when food was scarce.

Our ancestors who craved food which was high in calories and rich in fat
lived and passed on their genes to their children - those who didn't, died and
left no descendents. Gradually, over millions of years, that craving for
calories became instinctive behavior.

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But there's an even more sophisticated side to our craving for food. We also
instinctively know what is safe to eat and what is not.

Our tongue has evolved to have 5,000 taste buds - letting us know what to
swallow, and what to spit out. And we also have an instinctive reaction to
things which could give us a disease or make us sick. At the London School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr Valerie Curtis believes our feelings
of disgust have helped keep us safe for hundreds of generations.

The Feeling of Fear

Each year at the Pamplona Bull Run hundreds of people put their survival
instincts to the test. Their heart rates soar as they are chased through the
streets by angry bulls. They are experiencing fear. This instinctive feeling is
so important for our survival, our body reacts before our conscious mind has
even registered the danger. Adrenaline floods the body preparing us to fight
or run.

The bull run at Pamplona

sets pulses racing.

A Gambling Instinct

In 1988 North Sea oil worker Andy Mochan found himself in the midst of
the furious blaze aboard the Piper Alpha oil rig. Andy defied death by
jumping 46m into the crashing waves below. He gambled with his life and
won.

Millions of years ago our distant ancestors were constantly choosing

between risky options, balancing threats from predators and unknown
landscapes against potential rewards. We're all descended from those
humans that took risks and won and went on to populate the world. And this

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most complicated of survival instincts explains why modern humans just
love the thrill of gambling.

People do things, ultimately, for reasons that ‘make sense to them at the
time’. Based on their own goals, the context and other intervening factors.

Every individual has the instinct of survival. Based on there life experiences
and what they have learned they do it the best way they know how to,
making motives unique to the individual. This is something many theorists
fail to take into consideration- we all have different personalized motives.

In my opinion Survival is the point of life, the best way we know how to.

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