5 Amazing Theories of Motivation
Theories of Motivation
Motivation is the force that initiates, guides and maintains
goal-oriented behaviors. It is what causes us to take action, whether to grab a
snack to reduce hunger or enroll in college to earn a degree. The forces that
lie beneath motivation can be biological, social, emotional or cognitive in
nature.
Researchers have developed a number of different theories to
explain motivation. Each individual theory tends to be rather limited in scope.
However, by looking at the key ideas behind each theory, you can gain a better
understanding of motivation as a whole.
1. Instinct
Theory of Motivation
According to instinct theories, people are motivated to
behave in certain ways because they are evolutionarily programmed to do so. An
example of this in the animal world is seasonal migration. These animals do not
learn to do this, it is instead an inborn pattern of behavior.
William James created a list of human instincts that
included such things as attachment, play, shame, anger, fear, shyness, modesty
and love. The main problem with this theory is that it did not really explain
behavior, it just described it. By the 1920s, instinct theories were pushed
aside in favor of other motivational theories, but contemporary evolutionary
psychologists still study the influence of genetics and heredity on human
behavior.
2. Incentive
Theory of Motivation
The incentive theory suggests that people are motivated to
do things because of external rewards. For example, you might be motivated to
go to work each day for the monetary reward of being paid. Behavioral learning
concepts such as association and reinforcement play an important role in this
theory of motivation.
3. Drive
Theory of Motivation
According to the drive theory of motivation, people are
motivated to take certain actions in order to reduce the internal tension that
is caused by unmet needs. For example, you might be motivated to drink a glass
of water in order to reduce the internal state of thirst. This theory is useful
in explaining behaviors that have a strong biological component, such as hunger
or thirst. The problem with the drive theory of motivation is that these
behaviors are not always motivated purely by physiological needs. For example,
people often eat even when they are not really hungry.
4. Arousal
Theory of Motivation
The arousal theory of motivation suggests that people take
certain actions to either decrease or increase levels of arousal. When arousal
levels get too low, for example, a person might watch and exciting movie or go
for a jog. When arousal levels get too high, on the other hand, a person would
probably look for ways to relax such as meditating or reading a book. According
to this theory, we are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal,
although this level can vary based on the individual or the situation.
5. Humanistic
Theory of Motivation
Humanistic theories of motivation are based on the idea that
people also have strong cognitive reasons to perform various actions. This is
famously illustrated in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which presents
different motivations at different levels. First, people are motivated to ful
fill basic biological needs for food and shelter, as well as those of safety,
love and esteem. Once the lower level needs have been met, the primary
motivator becomes the need for self-actualization, or the desire to fulfill
one’s individual potential.
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