Discovering Psychology
Discovering Psychology
7th Edition
ISBN: 9781464171055
Author: Sandra E. Hockenbury, Susan A. Nolan, Don H. Hockenbury
Publisher: Worth Publishers
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Chapter 8, Problem 1CTQ-322
Summary Introduction

Concept introduction

Motivation describes various forces — social, emotional, biological, and cognitive— that may influence a person’s behavior. Motivation consists of three aspects: activation, persistence, and intensity. Instinct, drive, incentive, and arousal theories have been proposed by researchers to better understand motivation.

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According to instinct theory, overeating may be the result of evolutionary programming. For example, the tendency to overeat may be an innate behavior, or human instinct, like greediness, as identified by William James.

Drive theory tells us that biological needs can act as motivators. In this perspective, overeating may be explained as a desire to minimize internal tension that arises from an unmet need (i.e. hunger).

Incentive theories view goal objects as motivators. Overeating from the lens of incentive theories would be explained as a pull to reach an external goal. Therefore, the taste or smell of certain foods may serve as an incentive to eat more of them.

Arousal theory explains that performing certain activities, such as overeating, results in optimal stimulation (neither too high or too low), and that is why we are motivated to engage in these behaviors.

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