Motivation
Motivation explains why we start, keep going, and stop doing things.
Drives and incentives
Drive-reduction theory says biological needs create drives, such as hunger, that push us to restore balance, or homeostasis. Arousal theory says people seek an optimal level of arousal; the Yerkes-Dodson law states that moderate arousal often leads to the best performance, especially on complex tasks. Incentives are external rewards that pull behaviour.
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation comes from enjoyment of the activity itself, such as reading for pleasure. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside rewards, such as grades or pay. Research suggests that offering rewards for something people already enjoy can sometimes reduce intrinsic motivation, an effect called overjustification.
Hunger and achievement
Hunger involves the stomach, blood sugar, hormones like ghrelin and leptin, and the hypothalamus, but also culture and emotion. Achievement motivation is the desire to master challenges; self-efficacy, belief in one's ability to succeed, strongly predicts effort and persistence.
Flashcard
The body's tendency to maintain internal balance
Check your understanding
A student plays guitar for hours because she loves it, not for any reward. This is: