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Biological and Cognitive (Summary)

The document evaluates biological and cognitive theories of motivation, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Biological theories focus on internal physiological states, while cognitive theories emphasize thoughts and expectations shaping motivation. A balanced understanding of both perspectives offers a more comprehensive view of human motivation.

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iamrifky
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10 views3 pages

Biological and Cognitive (Summary)

The document evaluates biological and cognitive theories of motivation, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Biological theories focus on internal physiological states, while cognitive theories emphasize thoughts and expectations shaping motivation. A balanced understanding of both perspectives offers a more comprehensive view of human motivation.

Uploaded by

iamrifky
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Summary of Biological and Cognitive Theories of Motivation

Overview:

This session explores and evaluates biological and cognitive theories of motivation by
comparing their strengths and limitations.

1. Biological Theories of Motivation:

Biological theories suggest that motivation is driven by internal physiological states and neural
activities.

1.1 Key Biological Theories:

1. Drive Reduction Theory:

• Core Idea: Motivation arises from the need to reduce internal tensions caused by unmet
biological needs (e.g., hunger or thirst).

• Criticisms:

1. Fails to explain secondary reinforcers like money, which reduce drives indirectly.

2. Overlooks non-survival-driven behaviors (e.g., skydiving).

3. Too focused on animal behavior, limiting human applicability.

2. Instinct Theory:

• Core Idea: Instincts are innate drives that lead to goal-directed behaviors necessary for
survival.

• Criticisms:

1. Assumes all behaviors are biologically driven, ignoring learned experiences.

2. Not all instincts are universal (e.g., cultural behaviors differ).

3. Instincts are often descriptive rather than explanatory.

3. Arousal Theory:

• Core Idea: People seek to maintain an optimal level of arousal (stimulation). Too much or
too little arousal leads to actions aimed at balancing it.

• Criticisms:

1. Doesn’t explain why people seek complex psychological achievements.

2. Fails to address cultural influences on motivation.

3. Ignores that individuals often plan and think beyond simple arousal needs.

2. Cognitive Theories of Motivation:

Cognitive theories emphasize how people’s thoughts, goals, and expectations shape
motivation.

2.1 Key Cognitive Theories:

1. Field Theory:

• Core Idea: Behavior is influenced by the dynamic interaction between the individual and
their environment.

• Criticisms:

1. Lacks predictive power—can explain behavior but cannot forecast it.


2. Forces driving behavior are inferred from actions, creating circular reasoning.

3. No objective way to measure environmental forces.

2. Cognitive Consistency Theory (Cognitive Dissonance):

• Core Idea: Inconsistency between beliefs or actions causes discomfort (dissonance),


motivating individuals to restore balance.

• Criticisms:

1. The speed of the dissonance-reducing process is unclear.

2. Overly focuses on internal thought processes, ignoring subconscious influences.

3. Real-world behavior often defies simple consistency-seeking patterns.

3. Attribution Theory:

• Core Idea: People explain successes and failures by attributing them to internal (ability,
effort) or external (luck, difficulty) causes.

• Criticisms:

1. Cultural differences influence attributions (e.g., individualistic vs. collective


cultures).

2. Lab-based studies lack real-world applicability.

3. Judgments of responsibility are influenced by more than just causality (e.g.,


empathy).

4. Expectancy Theory:

• Core Idea: Motivation depends on the belief that effort leads to performance, performance
leads to rewards, and rewards are valued.

• Criticisms:

1. Difficult to measure perceptions of effort, performance, and rewards.

2. Oversimplified—doesn’t explain varying effort levels among individuals.

3. Assumes all employees are reward-driven, ignoring intrinsic motivations.

5. Goal Setting Theory:

• Core Idea: Specific, challenging goals and feedback lead to better performance.

• Criticisms:

1. Works best in stable environments—less effective in unpredictable ones.

2. Can lead to tunnel vision, ignoring other responsibilities.

3. Doesn’t account for subconscious or emotional influences on goal-setting.

Key Takeaways:

• Biological Theories explain basic, survival-driven motivations but struggle to address


complex human behaviors.

• Cognitive Theories emphasize planning, goals, and expectations but often overlook
subconscious and cultural influences.

• Balancing both perspectives provides a more holistic understanding of motivation.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each theory, learners can critically
assess human behavior and motivation from multiple angles.

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