motivation

(noun)

An incentive or reason for doing something.

Related Terms

  • drive
  • affective
  • aversive
  • emotion
  • cognition
  • psychosocial
  • stress

(noun)

The wants or needs that direct behavior toward a goal.

Related Terms

  • drive
  • affective
  • aversive
  • emotion
  • cognition
  • psychosocial
  • stress

Examples of motivation in the following topics:

  • Incentive Theory of Motivation and Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

    • In general, motivators provide some sort of incentive for completing a task.
    • In addition to biological motives, motivations can be either intrinsic (arising from internal factors) or extrinsic (arising from external factors).
    • Incentive theory argues that people are primarily extrinsically motivated—meaning that most motivations stem from extrinsic sources.
    • The extrinsic motivator is outside of, and acts on, the individual.
    • For instance, some data suggest that intrinsic motivation is diminished when extrinsic motivation is given—a process known as the overjustification effect.
  • Defining Motivation

    • Motivation describes the wants or needs that direct behavior toward a goal.
    • Motivations are commonly separated into drives and motives.
    • You are intrinsically motivated to cook.
    • Sometimes, intrinsic motivation can diminish when extrinsic motivation is given—a process known as the overjustification effect.
    • Define motivation in terms of drives, motives, and intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivators
  • Temporal Motivation Theory

    • Temporal motivation theory emphasizes the impact of time and deadlines on our motivation to complete tasks.
    • Temporal motivation theory (TMT) is an integrative motivational theory developed by Piers Steel and Cornelius J.
    • In this equation, motivation is the desire for a particular outcome.
    • However, as the study period diminishes from several weeks to several days, the motivation to study will surpass the motivation to socialize.
    • Temporal motivation theory argues that motivation is heavily influenced by time.
  • Maintaining Motivation

    • A person's motivation to do or accomplish anything changes over time.
    • Motivation tends to wane as initial excitement dissipates.
    • Excessive amounts of stress, however, may hinder performance and decrease motivation.
    • According to Maslow, people are motivated by unsatisfied needs.
    • The protection-motivation theory (PMT), proposed by Dr.
  • Comparing Motivation to Emotion

    • Emotion is often the driving force behind motivation, both positive or negative.
    • Motivation and Emotion are distinct concepts of psychological experiences.
    • Motivation is an inner drive to behave, or act, in a certain manner.
    • Motivation is commonly broken into drives and motives.
    • Emotion is often the driving force behind motivation, positive or negative.
  • Biological Influences on Sexual Motivation

    • Biological factors, such as hormones, play an important role in the sexual motivation of humans.
    • This motivation is determined by biological, psychological, and social factors.
    • In males, testosterone appears to be a major contributing factor to sexual motivation.
    • Based on the pleasure model of sexual motivation, the increased sexual pleasure that occurs following oxytocin release may encourage motivation to engage in future sexual activities.
    • Estrogen, in particular, has been shown to correlate positively with increases in female sexual motivation, and progesterone has been associated with decreases in motivation.
  • The Cognitive and Achievement Approaches to Motivation

    • Cognitive and achievement approaches to motivation examine how factors like achievement goals and cognitive dissonance influence motivation.
    • Both the achievement and cognitive approaches to motivation examine the various factors that influence our motivation.
    • According to the achievement approach to motivation, the need for achievement drives accomplishment and performance and thereby motivates our behavior.
    • People may be motivated by different goals related to achievement, and each of these goals affect one's motivation—and thereby behavior—differently.
    • Cognitive approaches to motivation focus on how a person's motivation is influenced by their cognitions or mental processes.
  • Arousal Theory of Motivation

    • Arousal theory expands upon drive-reduction theory by considering levels of arousal as potential motivators.
    • One way that the body elicits this behavioral motivation is by increasing physiological arousal.
    • Arousal theory expands upon drive-reduction theory by taking into account levels of arousal as potential motivators.
    • While drive-reduction theory focuses primarily on biological needs as motivators, arousal theory examines the influence of the neural transmitter dopamine as a motivator in the body.
    • All of these factors affect the individual's level of motivation to engage in certain behaviors.
  • The Psychology of Employee Satisfaction

    • Understanding what motivates an organization's employees is central to the study of I–O psychology.
    • There are many theories about what motivates employees to work.
    • Social-exchange and equity theory examines the impact of exchange on motivation.
    • Motivation factors include achievement, responsibility, advancement, and growth.
    • On the cutting edge of research pertaining to motivation in the workplace is the integration of motivation and creativity.
  • Drive-Reduction Theory of Motivation

    • Motivation describes the wants or needs that direct behavior toward a goal.
    • Motivations are commonly separated into two types: drives are acts of motivation like thirst or hunger that have primarily biological purposes, while motives are fueled primarily by social and psychological mechanisms.
    • One way that the body elicits this behavioral motivation is by increasing physiological arousal.
    • Clark Leonard Hull developed drive-reduction theory, one of the earliest theories of motivation.
    • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of how drive-reduction theory explains motivation
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