Motivation

Motivation is the urge to perform a particular act to obtain a certain objective or to produce a desired
outcome.

Drive Theory (Carl Hull): The Drive theory is based on the principle that every organism is born
with a psychological need and until he need is satisfied the organism remains in a tensed mental
state. Once the need is fulfilled the organism returns to the state of Homeostasis and relaxation.

Need: Refer to a lack or a deficit within the individual. Needs are of two types:

1. Psychological needs: are the survival need like sleep, food, air, and reproduction
2. Social Needs: Need of love and belongingness based on emotional or psychological
needs.

Striving: It is a mental state that initiates efforts towards obtaining or achieving an objective.
Goal is set during the striving stage.

Instrumental Behaviour: Need is the deficiency of the body due to which tension and imbalance
arises in the body. This tension has a tendency to initiate a kind of behaviour by which tension or
imbalance is released. This type of behaviour is termed as the instrumental behaviour which is
instrumental in satisfying a need or desire or a motive.

Goal: Behaviour is directed towards a goal and when the goal is achieved the need or the motive
is satisfied.

Relief: After the goal has been achieved the bodily needs are fulfilled and thus, relief is achieved.

Homeostasis: Homeostasis is a steady internal state which exists before a need arises and
regained once the need is achieved and body experiences relief.

Incentive Theory: Incentive theory is based on the works of B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning. In
contrast to the drive theory, the incentive theory suggests that motivation stems from the desire to
obtain valued external goals or incentives e.g. grade, money, etc.

The theory explains why we might give into incentive even though external cues are lacking.

It does not provide a complete explanation of the motivation, since organisms seek to fulfill needs
even when incentive are not obvious or present.
As a consequent, many psychologists believed that both Drive theory and Incentive theory are hand-
in-glove. They work in tandem like a push & pull mechanism. E.g. when we are hungry are underlying
need to satisfy hunger need governed by the Drive-reduction Theory and that, we are drawn towards
that appears particularly appetizing is governed by the Incentive Theory.

Rather than contradicting each other, drives and incentives can work together in motivating
behaviours.

Opponent Process Theory: We are motivated to seek goals which give us good emotional feelings
and avoid those resulting in displeasure.

This theory takes Hedonistic view of motivation. The theory is based on the principles of pleasant and
unpleasant experience or feelings.

The basic to this theory is the observation that many emotional motivating states are followed by
opposing or opposite emotional states. Thus feelings of happiness and pleasure are followed by the
feelings fear and dread.

“What motivates is the high or the fear of low”

Maslow’s Theory of Motivation or Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of

human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.

Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up.

1. Physiological needs - these are biological requirements for human survival, e.g. air, food,
drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, sleep and are at the bottom of the pyramid. If these
needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally. Maslow considered
physiological needs the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these
needs are met.

2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.
This formed the second level of the pyramid.

3. Love and belongingness needs - after physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled;
the third level of human needs is social and involves feelings of belongingness. The need for
interpersonal relationships motivates behavior. Examples include friendship, intimacy, trust,
and acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love.

4. Esteem needs - Maslow classified these needs into two categories:

a. Self-Esteem: esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery, independence) and

b. Social-Esteem: the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status,
prestige).
 Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most important for children and
adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or dignity.

5. Self-actualization needs - realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal

growth and peak experiences. A desire “to become everything one is capable of becoming”