Motivation
You got to move it, move it!
What is motivation?
Motivation considers numerous factors:
Biological
Emotional
Cognitive
Social
Characteristics of motivation:
Activation – when behavior is initiated or produced,
usually sparked by a goal
Persistence – continued efforts toward a goal
Intensity – a marked increase in vigor toward pursuing a
goal.
What is motivation?
Theories of motivation
Instinct theory – a more historical than modern
perspective
Behavior is motivated by “fixed action patterns” that are
similar throughout a species
EX: migration, nest building, hibernation, etc.
No real human instincts exist
Drive theory – replaced instinct theory
Unmet biological needs push us toward behavior that meets
those needs
Homeostasis is the goal.
What is motivation?
Theories of motivation
Incentive theory – more behavioristic theory
Internal and external rewards motivate behavior
Even the expectation of a reward can be motivating.
Arousal theory
Seek homeostasis of levels of arousal
When arousal is too high, we seek to lower it.
When arousal is too low, we seek to raise it.
Explains sensation-seeking behavior
What is motivation?
Theories of motivation
Humanistic theory
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Self-actualization is the goal.
Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan)
Goal is to realize optimal functioning.
Three innate needs that motivate behavior:
Autonomy
Competence
Relatedness
We meet these needs using intrinsic or extrinsic
motivation.
What is motivation?
Competence vs. achievement
Competence is the desire to exercise control over a
situation.
Achievement is the desire to excel, succeed, or
outperform others.
Culture can affect levels of achievement motivation:
Individualistic cultures seek achievement over others.
Collectivistic cultures seek achievement to make others
proud.
Hunger: Motivation in Action
Several systems regulate hunger:
Brain – hypothalamus (lateral & ventromedial)
Stomach & digestive tract
Adipose tissue (fat)
Pancreas – blood glucose
Hunger: Motivation in Action
Stomach contractions occur closely before a hunger
pang. Stomach contractions indicate hunger.
Hunger: Motivation in Action
Eating disorders – When motivation goes
awry!
Why people do or do not eat is crucial to
understanding eating motivation.
Disorders:
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Obesity
Hunger: Motivation in Action
Anorexia nervosa – When body weight is kept below a minimal normal level by
exercise, control of food intake, and other means.
Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and
height (e.g., less than 85% of that expected).
Intense fear (phobic) of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue
influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of
the current low body weight.
Amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.
Specify type:
Restricting Type: the person has not regularly engaged in binge-eating or
purging behavior
Binge-Eating/Purging Type: the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating
or purging behavior
Hunger: Motivation in Action
Bulimia nervosa - control of body weight in spite of binge overeating
Recurrent episodes of binge eating: eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of
food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time
and under similar circumstances AND a sense of lack of control over eating during the
episode
Recurrent inappropriate behavior to prevent weight gain: self-induced vomiting; misuse
of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.
Binge eating and inappropriate behaviors, on average, at least twice a week for 3
months.
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
Specify type:
Purging Type: the person has regularly engaged in purging behaviors
Nonpurging Type: the person has used other inappropriate compensatory
behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise
Hunger: Motivation in Action
Obesity – not an “eating disorder” according to the DSM.
According to the CDC: obesity is a range of weight that are greater than what is
generally considered healthy for a given height.
The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the
likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.
An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
For assessing someone’s likelihood of developing overweight- or obesity-
related diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines
recommend looking at two other predictors:
The individual’s waist circumference.
Other risk factors the individual has for diseases and conditions
associated with obesity.