Understanding Categorizing and Classifying
Optimal Arousal Theory
Drive Reduction Theory
Evolutionary Approach
Motivation
& Emotion
Understand Facts and Ideas in a the Context of a Conceptual Framework
A key finding in the learning and transfer literature is that organizing information into a
conceptual framework allows for greater “transfer”;
is, it allows the student to apply what
was learned in new situations and to learn related information more quickly.
What is a Conceptual Framework?
A conceptual framework is a group of concepts that are broadly defined and systematically
organized to provide a focus, a rationale, and a tool for integrating and interpreting
information. A mind map, like below on chapter 9, Motivation & Emotion, is an example of a
conceptual framework, pp. 222-.
Optimal Arousal Theory
Drive Reduction Theory
Evolutionary Approach
Motivation
& Emotion
Categorization: Bruner's theories emphasize the significance of categorization in
learning. "To perceive is to categorize (perception is the organization and
interpretation of sensory data in terms of past experience), to conceptualize is to
categorize, to learn is to form categories, to make decisions is to
categorize."Bruner maintains people interpret the world in terms of its similarities
and differences.
Understanding the fundamental structure of a subject (conceptual framework)
makes it more comprehensible. Bruner viewed categorization as a fundamental
process in the structuring of knowledge.
Understanding:
“Meaning is to be sought in the structure, the organization, the inner
relationships of the subject itself.” (Brownell)
Understanding:
“To understand something means to assimilate it into an appropriate
schema.” (schema: a conceptual structure) (Skemp)
Understanding:
“We understand something if we see how it is related or connected to
other things we know.” (James and Thomas)
You will need your textbook, Chapter 9, Motivation and Emotion, P. 222—
239. We will focus on “Theories of Motivation”, p.223.
The conceptual framework, in this instance, found by overviewing the title
and headings is represented in the mind map below:
Optimal Arousal Theory
Drive Reduction Theory
Evolutionary Approach
Motivation
& Emotion
Conceptual Framework: Categorization, Analysis, and Deduction
“Categorizing happens when a learner already has a category name, such as a title (Ex.
Theories of Motivation), or heading. The learner then finds information to fit under this
category name. Finding information to fit under a category involves looking for facts,
definitions, traits, and examples (analysis) that have the “commonality” described by the
category title.”
Optimal Arousal Theory
Drive Reduction Theory
Evolutionary Approach
Motivation
& Emotion
Conceptual Framework: Categorization (Analysis, and Deduction)
Under the first main heading (Theories of Motivation, p.223), we have a introductory
paragraph
defines motivation. It is the reader’s task to analyze the paragraph
and discover what constitutes the meaning of motivation.
Analysis: separation of the whole into its component parts. What makes up
motivation? The writer often provides you the whole and the details.
sustained
directed
energized
Motivation
defined
P. 223: Motivation is the force that
moves people to behave, think, and
feel the way they do. Motivated
behavior is energized, directed, and
sustained. Psychologists have
proposed a variety of theories about
why organisms are motivated to do
what they do. In this section we
explore some of the main
theoretical approaches to
motivation.
Conceptual Framework: Categorization (Analysis, and Deduction)
Though analysis, we have discovered the component parts of the definition of
motivation. However, the writer has not explained those parts yet. We have to keep
a watch for those explanations. When we understand those explanations we move
from categorization to classifying. We can then add it to our mind map or conceptual
framework as in the next slide.
sustained
directed
energized
Motivation
defined
Motivation is the force that moves
people to behave, think, and feel
the way they do. Motivated
behavior is energized, directed, and
sustained. Psychologists have
proposed a variety of theories about
why organisms are motivated to do
what they do. In this section we
explore some of the main
theoretical approaches to
motivation.
Conceptual Framework: Classification (Induction)
Classification: Once the details for the conceptual framework have been identified through
analysis, the reader needs to continue reading to find facts and concepts and group those facts
and concepts by their possible commonalities, according to the importance of their
commonalities. In this instance, “What moves people to behave they way they do?” When we
find an explanation, we add it to our mind map – (classification).
Find what
moves
people to
behave the
way they
do.
Motivation
defined
Motivation is the force that moves
people to behave, think, and feel
the way they do. Motivated
behavior is energized, directed, and
sustained. Psychologists have
proposed a variety of theories about
why organisms are motivated to do
what they do. In this section we
explore some of the main
theoretical approaches to
motivation.
Conceptual Framework: Classifying
When we read under “Evolutionary Approach, p. 223)” that “an instinct is an
innate (unlearned) biological behavior that is assumed to be universal throughout
the species”, we recognize that this has a commonality with the definition of
motivation, i.e. behavior.
Optimal Arousal Theory
Drive Reduction Theory
Evolutionary Approach
instinct
Motivation
& Emotion
Motivation is
the force
that moves
people to
behave,
think, and
feel the way
they do.
Analysis of Reading Passage about Norms (p. 255)
Rules not
insisted upon.
No punishment
for not
following rules.
differences
folkway
Folkways and
Mores are
Norms.
Rules or
guidelines about
how to act.
similarities
Rules insisted
upon.
Punishment
if rules not
followed.
differences
mores
Read the passage under Norms and Types of Norms, p. 255