Motivation and Emotion - Pitzer College

Motivation and Emotion Notes by Halford Fairchild Pitzer College, October 26, 2010

Outline What is motivation? Types of Motives – Primary (biological) – Secondary (social)

What are Emotions? Theories Communicating Emotions

Motivation Defined Motivation is concerned with the “whys” of behavior. What “causes” behavior? A motive – goads the organism into action and directs behavior toward a goal. Motive – to move.

Sources of Motivation Biological factors (food, water, sex) Emotional factors (fear, anger) Cognitive factors (beliefs, expectations) Social factors (reactions to others & sociocultural forces)

Motives for war in Iraq “Biological” (black gold – oil) Emotional (fear, anger, masculinism) Cognitive (beliefs about WMDs) Social (public support post 9/11) Financial (military industrial complex, privatization and Halliburton)

Theories of Motivation

Instinct Theory In animals, instincts are known as “fixed action patterns” (complex behaviors that are triggered by specific stimuli) In humans, William McDougall suggested thousands of human instincts. Freud, too, theorized about instinctual drives (Thanatos, the death instinct; and Eros, the life instinct; and the libido – that which sought hedonistic pleasure) Psychologists, today, doubt the existence of human instincts.

Drive Reduction Theory Homeostatic mechanisms – Maintaining physiological equilibrium (or balance)

Hunger – Stomach, blood & brain signals

Arousal Theory Optimal arousal level & performance Individual differences

Incentive Theory “Pulled” by external stimuli Influenced by biological, social and cognitive factors

Eating Disorders Obesity: eating too much (BMI index over 30) BMI = weight (Kg)/height (m)2 -see table 9.1 (p. 289) Anorexia: eating too little (body weight 80% or normal; fears of gaining weight; body image disturbances; menstrual cycles missed) – 75% female; 25% male Bulimia: binge/purge syndrome

Causes of Anorexia Family history Protective parenting Cultural influences …

Sexual Behavior Sex is different

– Not necessary for individual survival – Motivates a wide variety of behaviors – Huge individual differences

Forms of sexual expression – – – – – –

Symbolic (e.g., dancing) Fantasies and dreams Masturbation Heterosexuality Homosexuality Bisexuality

Sexual Response Cycle (EPOR) Excitation Plateau Orgasm Resolution (refractory period for men)

The human sexual response cycle

Social Motives Need for achievement (NAch) Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) Learned Helplessness (see film clip, Schindler’s List)

Maslow’s Need Hierarchy

Motives in Conflict Approach-approach – conflict in pursuing two desirable activities or objects (e.g., doctor or lawyer; Pitzer or Harvard) Avoidance-avoidance – having to select one of two undesirable alternatives (e.g., SAT or the ACT?) Approach-avoidance – an event or object has desirable and undesirable consequences (e.g., bankruptcy) [EMF]

Emotions - defined A felt or subjective experience. Temporary (short-lived) Positive or negative Triggered by mental assessment or cognitive appraisal Alters thought processes Motivates behavior Physiological components

Theories of Emotion (William-Carl) James-Lange “Peripheral Theory”, 1922 (emotions due to physical reactions) (Walter – Philip) Cannon-Bard theory (CNS involvement, especially the thalamus, & cortex, simultaneity) Cognitive theories (mental interpretations and attributions, cognitive appraisals)

Universality of Emotions Darwin – 1872 Paul Ekman - & facial expressions across cultures Emotions are a defining feature of what it means to be human