Motivation

Arcell Felizardo
Classification of Motives
1. Physiological/Primary Motives – arise from the needs of the
body tissues and are innately determined.

A. Hunger – this is one powerful physiological motive. When the

blood level of glucose or sugar falls below a certain point, your
Source of satisfaction; water

B. Thirst – a conditioned experience when the water level of our

body becomes low. The tissues of the mouth and throat become
dry so that the nerve endings located in these tissues are
stimulated. Source of satisfaction: water
 Classification of Motives
C. Air Hunger – Ordinarily, we are not consciously aware of our intense need for
air; we usually take air for granted. But then we find ourselves in a closely
overcrowded room or stranded in a packed elevator during a power failure, then
we realize how urgent and intense our need for air is, more specifically for
oxygen. Deprived of oxygen even for a brief second the brain tissues can be
damaged, which could result in mental retardation.
Source of satisfaction: air

D. Cold and Warmth – The purpose of warm and cold is to maintain balance in
the body temperature.
 Classification of Motives
E. Pain Avoidance – the desire to avoid pain and to find relief from pain is another
strong motive. There are pain receptors all over the body, some parts having more
and others, less. It seems that the external body surface has more pain spots than
the internal body surface has more pain spots than the internal tissues, such as
those of the internal organs. Pain Serves as warning device of possible injury.

F. Sleep – The energy being wasted in every activity cannot be replaced by just
simply depending on the energy produced by the foods that we eat. One of the
best way in order for an individual to regain his or her strength is through sleep.
Classification of Motives
G. Elimination Drive – when waste matter accumulates in the
bowels and bladder, the pressure in these organs tends to stimulate
the drive to empty them. We need to be relieved regularly in order for
us to stay in state of homeostasis.

H. Sex Drive – the purpose of sex drive is more on reproduction.

Unlike the other primary motives sex drive even not satisfied daily
there will be no observable ill effects.
 Classification of Motives
2. Psychological and Social Drives – these motives are not biological in origin;
they grow out of our relationship with others.
A. Achievement Motive – this is predisposition to excel, to accomplish a
difficult task very well, and to overcome obstacles.

B. Affiliation Motive – involves a drive to have close friendships and enjoy

being with other.

C. Altruism Motive – altruism as defined is the behavior to benefit another

without anticipation of rewards from external.
 Classification of Motives
D. Social Approval Motive - related to affiliation motives. This refers to the
desire of an individual to be accepted by other people or by the society

E. Status Motive - the need for status is the desire to achieve a respected
standing or position among one's fellow; to be at least on the level of, but not
below, the persons one associates with the most of the time.
 Theories of Motivation
1. Drive - reduction theory this theory states that if any arousal is unpleasant, we
seek to reduce it and this reduction is reinforcing. Motivation in these terms
would consist entirely Clark Hull of seeking to reduce arousal when it exists
and of avoiding or escaping situations that produce arousal.

2. Incentive theory - this emphasizes the role of specific arousals (incentives)

and the particular context. A juicy steak may motivate you to eat even if you are
not hungry, but if you are very thirsty, the steak may have no motivating effects
because it does not correspond to the particular motive or incentive that has been
aroused. The point is that motives are produced by an interaction of the internal
state and the external situation.
 Theories of Motivation
3. Homeostatic theory - this states that motivation serves to maintain a
particular level of arousal. Deviations from the level produce motivation that
causes you to seek a way to return to the original level. If the arousal state rises
above this ideal level, you are motivated to reduce stimulation. These dual
activities that maintains a constant level is called homeostasis process, and the
ideal amount of arousal is called the adaptation level.

4. Intrinsic theory- This theory regards instinct as the biological basis of

motivated behavior. Sigmund Freud suggested that the source of motivation is a
pool of instinctual psychic energy- Eros –Thanatos -Destruction that has a
biological origin. This energy or libido builds up and drives us to find the outlets to
relieve pressure or tensions.
 Theories of Motivation
5. Expectancy-value theory - Our action results from a conscious or an
unconscious estimation of probability of a certain outcome multiplied by the
strength of positive or negative value placed on the outcome. This theory focuses
mainly on the goals or incentives in the environment. For example, you would like
ice cream after dinner, but that involves driving a few miles to get it, and you might
miss a favorite TV show. Is it worth it? What will you do?