Theories of Motivation Assignment
DUE: Wednesday/Thursday November 20-21
People are motivated to perform behaviors for different reasons. You are often motivated to eat food by bodily
conditions such as low blood sugar. A cue in the environment, such as the AP Test, can help motivate you to be successful in
preparation for college. Emotions, such as fear, joy, or surprise, often underlie behavior. Motives are triggered by a stimulus, or
an incentive.
For this assignment, you are to think of a goal in your life that you would like to achieve, whether it be in the short
term, or long term. Think of a goal that means a lot to you, and that you have worked for or will work for.
Explain each point in a paragraph:
1. What is the goal that you would like to achieve? How are you working to obtain it?
2. Two paragraphs for two theories: Explain your motivation to complete this goal using TWO of the five
motivational theories discussed in this class (Instinct Theory, Drive-Reduction Theory, Incentive Theory,
Arousal Theory, or Cognitive Theory).
a. Why is this goal important to you?
b. How do the theories you chose explain motivation?
c. How would each of these theories explain your motivation to complete this goal?
d. How do these theories compare when discussing your motivation? (How are they different?)
Guidelines:
This assignment…
 Must be typed and printed out.
 Must be at least 3 paragraphs long (5 sentences each paragraph).
 Must be personal to you, explaining your own goals.
 Must include proper grammar and punctuation.
20-17
Goals
Theory 1
Theory II
16-13
12-9
One example of a goal that
you would like to achieve.
No errors in grammar or
punctuation; correct
paragraph form.
One example of a goal that
you would like to achieve. No
more than 2 errors in grammar
or punctuation; correct
paragraph form.
One example of a goal
that you would like to
achieve. No more than 3
errors in grammar or
punctuation; correct
paragraph form.
One example of a goal
that you would like to
achieve is not included.
There are more than 4
errors in grammar or
punctuation; incorrect
paragraph form.
8-1
1 example of a motivational
theory that correctly explains
your motivation to complete
your goal; answers each of
the 4 guideline questions
identified in the instructions.
No errors in grammar or
punctuation; correct
paragraph form.
1 example of a motivational
theory that correctly explains
your motivation to complete
your goal; answers 3 of the 4
guideline questions identified
in the instructions. No more
than 2 errors in grammar or
punctuation; correct paragraph
form.
1 example is not clearly
identified.
1 example of a motivational
theory that correctly explains
your motivation to complete
your goal; answers each of
the 4 guideline questions
identified in the instructions.
No errors in grammar or
punctuation; correct
paragraph form.
1 example of a motivational
theory that correctly explains
your motivation to complete
your goal; answers 3 of the 4
guideline questions identified
in the instructions. No more
than 2 errors in grammar or
punctuation; correct paragraph
form.
1 example of a
motivational theory that
correctly explains your
motivation to complete
your goal; answers 2 of
the 4 guideline questions
identified in the
instructions. No more
than 3 errors in grammar
or punctuation; correct
paragraph form.
1 example of a
motivational theory that
correctly explains your
motivation to complete
your goal; answers 2 of
the 4 guideline questions
identified in the
instructions. No more
than 3 errors in grammar
or punctuation; correct
paragraph form.
1 example is not clearly
identified.