Motivation and Emotion
Nolan Simmons, Linda Yu, Madison Aichele
Motivation
Motivation: a feeling or idea that causes us to
act toward a goal.
Motivation Theories
Drive Reduction Theory: a theory that our behavior is motivated by
biological needs (food, water, shelter)
homeostasis: a balanced internal state
Different drives include:
Primary drives: biological needs
Secondary drives: learned needs (money)
Motivation Theories continued...
Arousal Theory: states that we seek an optimum level of excitement
or arousal.
Everyone has a different need for excitement level and we are
motivated by activities that will help us achieve this level.
People with high optimum levels of arousal will be drawn to highexcitement behaviors or activities.
People with low optimum levels of arousal will be satisfied with less
exciting and less risky activities.
Motivation
Theories continued...
Arousal Theory cont..
Yerkes Dodson Law: We might perform well at an easy task with a
very high level of arousal, but the same high level of arousal will
prevent us from performing well on a difficult task.
Motivation Theories continued...
Incentive Theory: we associate some stimuli with rewards and others
with punishment, and we are motivated to seek the rewards.
Incentives: stimuli that we are drawn to due to learning
Motivation Theories continued...
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - Abraham Maslow
Tier 1: Physiological needs: to satisfy drives for hunger, thirst, and
sex
Tier 2: Safety needs: to feel safe, secure, and out of danger
Tier 3: Belongingness and love needs: to be accepted and belong
Tier 4: Esteem needs: to achieve and to gain approval and
recognition
Tier 5: Self-Actualization needs: to fulfill your unique potential
Motivation Theories continued...
Achievement Motivation: examines our desires to master complex
tasks and knowledge and to reach personal goals
Extrinsic Motivation: motivation by external rewards (i.e., grades,
salary)
Intrinsic Motivation: motivation by internal rewards (i.e., enjoyment,
satisfaction)
Emotion
Emotion: Experiential and subjective
responses to certain internal and external
stimuli.
Involves:
physiological arousal
expressive behaviors
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Emotion Theories
James-Lange theory: event → arousal →
emotion
Cannon-Bard theory: event → arousal +
emotion
Two-factor theory: event → arousal + label →
emotion
Expressed Emotion
Facial feedback hypothesis: expressions
amplify our emotions by activating muscles
associated with specific states → the
muscles signal the body to respond
Ex. Smile → feel happier
Experienced Emotion
Catharsis: emotional release; releasing negative energy
will calm aggressive tendencies
Feel-good, do-good phenomenon: increased willingness
to help others when in a good mood
Adaptation-level phenomenon: tendency to judge various
stimuli relative to those previously experienced
Relative deprivation: perception that one is worse off
relative to those with whom one compares oneself
Stress in Relation to Emotion
Can affect our mood. Stressors are everyday
events or situations that challenge us in
subtle ways.