Motivation
Module 23 to 25
The Unique Role of
the Hypothalamus
 The lateral hypothalamus is a pleasure center
The Unique Role of the
Hypothalamus
Motivation
Motivation
a need or desire that energizes and
directs behavior
Motivation - Three
Theories
Instinct
Drive Reduction
Humanistic
Motivation - Instinct
Theory
A complex, unlearned pattern of
behavior
Same for all members of the
species (e.g., nest building)
Motivation - Drive
Theory
Two Key Definitions
need = physiological state of
deprivation in the organism
drive = psychological state (e.g.,
image of the goal)
Motivation--Drive
Theory
Drive-Reduction
Physiological need creates an aroused
tension state (a drive) that motivates us
to satisfy the need
Need
(e.g., for
food, water)
Drive
(hunger, thirst)
Rest
Drive-reducing
behaviors
(eating, drinking)
Motivation--Drive
Theory
Homeostasis
tendency to keep a constant or
balanced internal state
Need
(e.g., for
food, water)
Drive
(hunger, thirst)
Rest
Drive-reducing
behaviors
(eating, drinking)
Motivation - Humanistic
Theory
Self-actualization needs
Need to live up to one’s
fullest and unique potential
Esteem needs
Need for self-esteem,
achievement, competence,
and independence; need for
recognition and respect from others
Belongingness and love needs
Need to love and be loved, to belong
and be accepted; need to avoid
loneliness and alienation
Safety needs
Need to feel that the world is organized and
predictable; need to feel safe, secure, and stable
Physiological needs
Need to satisfy hunger and thirst
Maslow: Human
Needs Hierarchy:
 Begins at the base
with physiological
needs
 Hierarchy: you must
work your way up
from the bottom
Drive Reduction Theory?
Eating Behavior
and
Sex Behavior
Motivation--Hunger
 Stomach contractions accompany our feelings of hunger
Subject swallows
balloon, which
measures stomach
contraction
Subject presses
key each time
when hungry
Stomach contractions
Hunger pangs
0 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Time in minutes
9 10
Motivation--Hunger
Glucose
form of sugar, circulates in the blood
provides energy for body tissues
when it’s level is low, we feel hunger
Motivation--Hunger
 The hypothalamus is a homeostatic mechanism, involved
in both eating and long term weight regulation.
Motivation--Weight
Regulation
Set Point
“weight thermostat” … when your
weight goes below a certain fixed point,
you seek food; Above, you don’t seek
food.
Metabolic Rate
body’s use of energy when at rest.
Motivation--Hunger
Summary: Eating and Weight
Regulation Depends on
Hunger
Glucose
Set Point
Metabolic Rate
Exercise and Eating Habits
Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
when a normal-weight person diets and
becomes significantly underweight, yet, still
feels fat
usually an adolescent female
Bulimia Nervosa
disorder: periods of overeating, usually of
highly caloric foods, followed by vomiting,
laxative use or excessive exercise
Weight Control
The thinning of Miss America
Trend in Body Mass Index (BMI) of Miss America Pageant Winners
24
BMI, kg/m² 23
•
22
•
21
• • ••• • • •
• •••• • • •
•• • • •
•
• •
•
•
•
•
• • • • • • •• •
World Health
•
Organization’s
•
cutoff point for
20
19
18
17
16
•
Trend line
•
•
undernutrition (18.5)
15
1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Year of Pageant
Eating Disorders:
Obesity and Mortality
Obesity and mortality
2.8
Relative
risk of
death
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
18.5 18.5- 20.5- 22.0- 23.5- 25.0- 26.5- 28.0- 30.0- 32.0- 35.020.4 21.9 23.4 24.9 26.4 27.9 29.9 31.9 34.9 39.9
Men
Body-mass index (BM I)
Women
40
Weight Discrimination
Definitely
Hire
7
When women
applicants were
made to look
overweight,
subjects were less
willing to hire
6
5
Willingness
to Hire
4
3
2
1
Definitely
not Hire
0
Women
Normal
Men
Overweight
Weight Control
Effects of a severe diet
165
Metabolism:
Oxygen
consumption
in liters
per hour
26
160
25
155
24
150
23
145
22
140
21
Body
weight
in
kilograms
Caloric
intake
in
calories
per day
3000
2000
1000
0
8
16
Days
24 32
8
16
24
Days
32
8
16
24
Days
32
Weight Control
10
Weight 5
change
in pounds 0
Weight is
regained
over the
long term
for most
people
Starting
point
Normal trend for untreated obese
people: Gradually rising weight
-5
-10
After participation in behavioral
program: Much of initial weight
Loss regained
-15
-20
Post
treatment
1
2
3
Years of follow-up
4
5
Weight Control
Obesity is
more
common
among those
who watch
the most
television
Skinfold fat
measure (mm) 32
30
28
26
24
22
20
<2
2-3
>4
Hours of television watched per day
in 1990s study
Boys
Girls
Forces Affecting
Sexual Motivation
Physiological
readiness
Imaginative
stimuli
Sexual motivation
External
stimuli
Sexual Motivation
Estrogen
a sex hormone,
secreted in greater
amounts by females
than by males
in nonhuman
female mammals,
estrogen levels
peak during
ovulation,
promoting sexual
receptivity
Sexual Motivation
Sexual Response Cycle
the four stages of sexual responding
described by Masters and Johnson
excitement
plateau
orgasm
resolution
Refractory Period
resting period after orgasm, during which a
man cannot achieve another orgasm
Sexual Disorders
Problems that consistently impair sexual
arousal or functioning
In Men
premature ejaculation-ejaculation before they or their
partners wish
impotence-inability to have or maintain erection
In Women
orgasmic disorder-infrequent or absent orgasms
arousal disorder-lack of excitement
Sexual Motivation
Sexual Orientation
an enduring sexual attraction toward
members of either one’s own gender
(homosexual orientation) or the other
gender (heterosexual orientation)
Sexual Orientation
[Videoclip]
Sexual Motivation
Changing attitudes
100%
Extramarital sex is “always wrong”
80
60
Homosexual sex is “always wrong”
40
20
0
1987
Source: National Opinion Research Center
(University of Chicago) General Social Survey
1998
Year
Some other aspects of
Motivation
Achievement Motivation
Motivation in the workplace
Achievement
Motivation: TAT
What is this
boy
daydreaming
about?
Motivation
Achievement Motivation
a desire for significant accomplishment
fantasies sometimes reflect achievement
concerns
Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation
desire to perform a behavior for its own
sake
Extrinsic Motivation
desire to perform a behavior because you
will be rewarded or avoid punishment
Rewards Affect
Motivation
Mom: “I’ll give you $5 for every A.’’
Controlling reward
Child: “As long as she pays,
I’ll study.’’
Extrinsic motivation
Mom: “Your grades were great!
Let’s celebrate by going out
for dinner.’’
Informative reward
Child: “Good things happen when I do
well. I love doing well.’’
Intrinsic motivation
Motivation in the Workplace
Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology
sub-field of psychology that studies and
advises on workplace behavior
I/O Psychologists
help organizations select and train
employees, boost morale and productivity,
and design products
Motivation
Task Leadership
goal-oriented leadership that sets
standards, organizes work, and focuses
attention on goals
Social Leadership
group-oriented leadership that builds
teamwork, mediates conflict, and offers
support