PSYC 1001 Lecture Notes - Bandvagn 206, Insular Cortex, Lateral Hypothalamus
28 Jun 2018
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Module 60: theories of motivation
Motivation: an internal state or condition that energizes and directs behaviour
Motive: a need or desire
Instinct theory: all behaviours are driven by instincts, inherited behavioural blueprints.
Presumes instincts are triggered by certain stimuli.
- Tinbergen: instinctive behaviour does occur in nature (also called fixed action patterns)
behaviour must have a fixed pattern throughout a species and be unlearned stickleback
fish attacking an intruder
Instincts: inborn behaviour tendencies, activated by stimuli in our environments.
Drive-reduction theory:
Homeostasis: a tendency of the body to maintain itself in state of balance or equilibrium. (body,
temperature, energy levels, water levels.)
Motivation: (optimal) arousal theory: instinct and drive-reduction theory don’t explain why
we sometimes seek arousal. Even well-fed rats will explore environments. (searching) monkeys
work to gain access to a window “just” to see outside (bored)
Behavior is motivating by a desire to maintain an optimal level of arousal (in contrast, drive-
reduction theory suggest we seek to eliminate arousal)
When under-arousal we seek stimulation (gossip, play games, watch tv, red news.
Yerkes-Dodson law: law stating that ideal performance on an ask occurs when the arousal levels
optimized to the difficult level of the task. Performance on a task varies as a function of arousal
level. Different tasks require different arousal levels simple tasks require more arousal levels
complex tasks less.
Incentive theory: so far, theories suggest we are pushed into action. Incentive theory
emphasizes the “pull” of incentives, external factors that are rewarding such money, recognition,
praise.
-primary incentives are innate (food when hungry)
-secondary incentives (money) are associated with primary incentives.
Intrinsic motivation: engaging in a behaviour simply for the satisfaction that is part of doing it
Incentives: external motives that indirectly indicate reward.
Extrinsic motivation: engaging in a behaviour due to the influence of factors outside ourselves
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
- Humanistic psychologist
- We humans have multiple needs
- Needs vary in priority
Module 61: biological motivations: hunger
Stomach signals: contractions of the stomach match feelings of hunger
What triggers hunger
Ghrelin: released when stomach empty; travels via blood to brain (stimulates food intake)
Satiety signals: reduces hunger and food intake
Other chemical signals
Blood glucose levels: neurons in hypothalamus sense blood sugar changes. If low triggers
hunger, if high signals satiety
Lipids: from fats if high produce satiety
Amino acids: if high produces satiety
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Motivation: an internal state or condition that energizes and directs behaviour. Instinct theory: all behaviours are driven by instincts, inherited behavioural blueprints. Tinbergen: instinctive behaviour does occur in nature (also called fixed action patterns) behaviour must have a fixed pattern throughout a species and be unlearned stickleback fish attacking an intruder. Instincts: inborn behaviour tendencies, activated by stimuli in our environments. Homeostasis: a tendency of the body to maintain itself in state of balance or equilibrium. (body, temperature, energy levels, water levels. ) Motivation: (optimal) arousal theory: instinct and drive-reduction theory don"t explain why we sometimes seek arousal. Even well-fed rats will explore environments. (searching) monkeys work to gain access to a window just to see outside (bored) Behavior is motivating by a desire to maintain an optimal level of arousal (in contrast, drive- reduction theory suggest we seek to eliminate arousal) When under-arousal we seek stimulation (gossip, play games, watch tv, red news.
