Sign up to access the complete lesson and track your progress!
Unlock This CourseHave you ever wondered why you feel hungry when you haven't eaten for a while? Or why some people seem naturally driven to succeed whilst others struggle to get started? The answer lies in understanding motivation - one of the most important concepts in psychology that explains why we do what we do.
Motivation is the driving force behind all human behaviour. It's what gets you out of bed in the morning, pushes you to study for exams and makes you want to spend time with friends. Without motivation, we'd simply sit still and do nothing!
Key Definitions:
Activation: The decision to start a behaviour (like choosing to exercise)
Persistence: Continuing the behaviour despite obstacles (keeping going when it gets tough)
Intensity: The effort put into the behaviour (how hard you try)
Not all motivation is the same. Psychologists have identified two main types that work very differently and have different effects on our behaviour and well-being.
Understanding the difference between these two types of motivation is crucial for understanding human behaviour. They work in completely different ways and can even conflict with each other.
Definition: Motivation that comes from within - doing something because it's enjoyable, satisfying, or personally meaningful.
Examples: Playing music for pleasure, reading for enjoyment, helping others because it feels good.
Definition: Motivation that comes from external rewards or consequences - doing something to get a reward or avoid punishment.
Examples: Studying to get good grades, working for money, exercising to lose weight.
Both types are important, but research shows intrinsic motivation tends to be more sustainable and leads to greater satisfaction and creativity.
Too much extrinsic motivation can actually reduce intrinsic motivation - this is called the "overjustification effect".
In the famous Stanford Marshmallow Experiment, children were given a choice: eat one marshmallow now, or wait 15 minutes and get two marshmallows. This tested their ability to delay gratification - a key aspect of motivation. Children who waited longer tended to have better life outcomes years later, showing how motivation skills developed early can have lasting effects.
Some of our strongest motivations come from our biology. These are called primary drives and they're essential for survival. Understanding these helps explain why certain motivations feel so powerful and urgent.
These drives are built into our biology and are essential for keeping us alive. They create strong internal tensions that motivate us to take action.
When your blood sugar drops or you become dehydrated, your body sends signals to your brain creating the drive to eat or drink. This is why you can't ignore hunger for very long - it's a survival mechanism.
Example: You might not feel hungry whilst absorbed in a video game, but once you notice it, the hunger becomes increasingly hard to ignore until you eat.
Sleep deprivation creates a powerful drive to rest. Your body needs sleep to repair itself and consolidate memories. The longer you stay awake, the stronger this drive becomes.
Example: After staying up all night studying, you'll find it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything except finding a place to sleep.
Beyond basic survival needs, humans have complex psychological drives that motivate much of our behaviour. These secondary drives are learned through experience and vary between individuals and cultures.
These drives aren't necessary for physical survival, but they're crucial for psychological well-being and social functioning.
The drive to accomplish goals, master skills and excel. Some people have a very high need for achievement and are motivated by challenging tasks.
Example: A student who chooses harder subjects because they enjoy the challenge, not just for better grades.
The drive to form relationships and belong to groups. Humans are social creatures and most of us are motivated to connect with others.
Example: Joining clubs or teams not just for the activity, but for the social connections and sense of belonging.
The drive to influence, control, or have impact on others and situations. This can be positive (leadership) or negative (domination).
Example: Running for student council because you want to make positive changes in your school.
Research by psychologist Carol Dweck found that students' beliefs about intelligence affect their motivation. Students with a "growth mindset" (believing intelligence can be developed) stay motivated when facing challenges, whilst those with a "fixed mindset" (believing intelligence is unchangeable) often give up when things get difficult. This shows how our thoughts about our abilities directly impact our motivation.
Understanding motivation isn't just academic - it has real practical applications. Motivation directly affects how well we perform tasks, how long we persist when things get tough and how satisfied we feel with our achievements.
This important principle shows that the relationship between motivation (arousal) and performance isn't straightforward. Too little motivation leads to poor performance, but so does too much motivation!
Low Motivation: Boredom, lack of effort, poor performance
Optimal Motivation: Alert, focused, peak performance
High Motivation: Anxiety, stress, decreased performance
Example: A little nervousness before an exam can help you focus, but too much anxiety can make you freeze up and forget what you know.
Motivation works differently in various areas of life. Understanding these differences helps explain why someone might be highly motivated in one area but struggle in another.
School motivation is complex because it involves both intrinsic interests and extrinsic pressures like grades and parental expectations.
Relevance: Seeing how subjects connect to real life
Autonomy: Having some choice in what and how to learn
Competence: Feeling capable of succeeding
Connection: Positive relationships with teachers and peers
A study followed people starting exercise programmes. Those motivated by external factors (losing weight, looking good) were more likely to quit within six months. However, those motivated by internal factors (feeling energetic, enjoying the activity) were much more likely to stick with it long-term. This demonstrates the power of intrinsic motivation for sustained behaviour change.
Recognising what motivates you personally is crucial for success and well-being. Everyone has different motivational patterns and understanding yours can help you make better choices about goals, activities and environments.
People differ in what motivates them most strongly. Some are driven by achievement, others by relationships and still others by autonomy and independence.
• What activities do you do even when no one is watching or rewarding you?
• When do you feel most energised and engaged?
• What makes you want to keep going when things get difficult?
• Do you prefer working towards your own goals or meeting others' expectations?
Motivation is the engine that drives all human behaviour. By understanding the different types of motivation, the biological and psychological drives that influence us and how motivation affects performance, we gain powerful insights into human nature - including our own.
Remember that motivation isn't fixed - it can be developed and strengthened. Understanding what truly motivates you and learning to cultivate intrinsic motivation whilst managing extrinsic pressures, is a valuable life skill that will serve you well in all areas of life.
The key takeaway is that motivation is complex and personal. What motivates one person might not motivate another and what motivates you in one situation might not work in another. The more you understand about motivation, the better you'll be at setting goals, overcoming obstacles and achieving what matters most to you.