Theories of

Motivation
 Biological
Perspective
Biological perspective- is the
theory that physiological changes
directly affect an individual's
behavior.
 Instinct Theory
The Instinct Theory of Motivation proposes that
people are motivated to act on a certain ways because
the process of motivation is built into their body
chemistry. It is believed that instinct theory uses
unlearned responses because of organisms are
instinctive, inborn, or inherent in every one of us.
And, as we act or behave with this kind of motivation, all
our actions are therefore considered as instincts.
 Example:
Human mother will attempt to provide
comfort to a baby who has been crying all
night and will not sleep until she sees that
the baby is calm and asleep.
A bird is building a nest
Drive-Reduction Theory
The drive-reduction theory hinges on biological
principles of homeostasis , which means that if
there is a biological need that produces a drive,
homeostasis creates balance in the internal
environment. In other words, drive-reduction is one
that pushes us to do something (Push factor).
 Example:

If we skip breakfast, we feel hungry. The

hunger need drives or push us to find
food to get rid of the hunger.
 Arousal Theory
Arousal theory is likewise focused on the idea that
all of us have the need to achieve and maintain an
ideal level of arousal that maximizes our
performance.
Generally, when we say ideal level, we mean
the level that is appropriate enough to maximize
our performance. We are responsible for
maximizing our arousal level.
 Example:

The person with low arousal needs

might be motivated to pursue simple things
like watching a movie, reading a book,
or take a nap in order to maintain their
arousal level.
 The individual with the high arousal
needs, on the other hand, might need to
seek risky or thrilling activities such as
motorcycle racing, zip line or skydiving
in order to maintain the right balance.
 Psychological
Perspective
Accounts for an attempt to explains whys
of our own actions that describes incentive
and cognition.
 Incentive Theory
Incentive theory explains that motivation
result in external stimuli that pull people
in certain situation.As opposed to drive-
reduction theory, which act as the push
factor, the incentive theory refers to the
pull factor.
 Example:
Even if we have satisfied our hunger, we tend to
eat more. We cant resist the aroma or the scent
of food on the table. Therefore, the foods tempts
us to eat more because the irrestibility of the
aroma drives or pulls us to eat more.
 Cognitive Theory
Cognitive theory- is concerned with understanding
mental processes such as memory, perception,
thinking, and problem solving, and how they may be
related to behavior.
It is also puts so much emphasis on how we
interpretour own actions in various ways possible.
 Example:
Imagine that a college student makes
little effort to achieve good
grades in college courses.
 Human Perspective
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.
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
Dispositional Approach
This emphasizes the role of stable
behavioral tendencies (dispositions) in
understanding the differences why
individuals behave the way they do.
 Two-Factor Theory
Hygiene factors (Extrinsic Motivators)
- are needed to ensure a person does not become
dissatisfied. These factors do not lead to higher
levels of motivation, but without them, there is
dissatisfaction.
Examples:
1. Salary
2. Benefits
3. Company rules
4. Co- workers relationships
5. Job security
 Motivators
Motivators (Intrinsic Motivators)
- involve whose presence motivates. Their absence
does not cause any particular dissatisfaction, it
just fails to motivate.
- Examples:
1. Chances of Promotion
2. Challenging work
 Alderfers ERG Theory

Existence- deals with the persons physical needs

such as food, clothing, and shelter (Maslows first
two levels)
Relatedness- means a persons needs for human
relations (third and fourth levels)
Growth- involves the persons needs for personal or
private life development (fourth and fifth levels)
 Goal Theories
Goal theory- is an overall approach to
motivation that emphasizes the need to
establish goals as intrinsic motivation. A
relationship exists between goal difficulty,
level of performance, and effort involved.
 Mastery Goals
Mastery goals are otherwise known as
learning goals. They develop our intrinsic
motivation. When we have mastered a certain
skill, we feel great, we feel that we have
personally improved.
 Performance Goals

Performance Goals- is the idea that

performance of a certain task develops self-
worth. Otherwise known as ego goals.,
performance goals are related to achieving
success with less effort.
 Three Different Features in
motivation
Difficulty-