Motivation
Definition
Motivation involves factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested and committed to a job, role, or subject, or to make an effort to attain a goal.
Analogy
Think of motivation as the fuel in your car. Without it, you won't go anywhere no matter how well everything else is working. But with enough fuel (motivation), you can travel great distances and overcome any obstacles on your journey.
Related terms
Intrinsic Motivation: This refers to doing something because it's personally rewarding - like driving for the sheer joy of the open road.
Extrinsic Motivation: This refers to doing something because you want to earn a reward or avoid punishment - like driving carefully to avoid getting a speeding ticket.
Drive Theory: This theory suggests that humans are motivated by basic drives, such as hunger or thirst - akin to needing gas (drive) for your car (body) so it can function properly.
"Motivation" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (20+)
Which type of motivation is involved when one reads just because they love to read?
How does the principle of operant conditioning align with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in terms of motivation?
To increase motivation in subject X, which strategy involving self-efficacy could potentially be most beneficial?
What kind of motivation involves a desire for significant accomplishment and for mastery of skills or ideas?
What is the primary focus of the incentive theory of motivation?
What theory suggests that motivation is a result of psychological needs such as autonomy, competence and relatedness?
Which theory explains motivation as a desire to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs?
Which theory posits motivation as a response to internal physiological states?
How does the drive-reduction theory explain motivation?
In terms of motivation, how could a psychologist apply self-determination theory in treating a client with low self-esteem?
Which critique best applies to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory regarding motivation?
What is a significant critique against Carl Rogers' humanistic theory regarding motivation?
Why has Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory been criticized as an explanation for motivation?
Which of the following best supports the drive-reduction theory of motivation?
How did Daniel Pink’s theory on motivation evolve our understanding further from Self-Determination Theory?
How did Edward Deci’s Cognitive Evaluation Theory further advance our understanding of motivation?
How does the drive-reduction theory of motivation apply to the concept of "digital detox"?
Which proposed study would best explore how basic human needs affect motivation within a survival scenario?
In promoting motivation for studying among high school students, which psychological intervention has been demonstrated empirically as most effective?
In using cognitive-behavioral techniques to improve motivation, which element is paramount?
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.