Introduction
Why do we do what we do? Some people are up all night working towards their dreams while others can barely get out of bed. The answer to this question usually lies in one core psychological process: motivation. Motivation is always a part of every behavior you engage in throughout the day from late-night study to exercise, to scrolling through social media. The subject of motivation doesn’t only concern those in the field of psychology. Motivation is everywhere from education to business, therapy and even our relationships with others. If we can fully understand what motivates people (or ourselves) we can help facilitate behavior change, increase productivity, or simply lead a more meaningful life.
What Is Motivation in Psychology?
Motivation in psychology addresses the internal processes that direct, initiate and sustain behavior in man. It makes sense of the motivating factors for all of our behaviors, whether we do this process consciously or unconsciously. Motivation helps explain why we make goals, the decisions we make and persist through obstacles. In other words, motivation is what energizes us, helps us maintain consistent effort, and allows us reach our desired outcomes. The two types of motivation psychologists often refer to are intrinsic or extrinsic motivation.
Types of Motivation
1. Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation is motivation that comes from within you. You do something because it is intrinsically rewarding, fun, or reflects your personal values–not for a specific external reward or any pressure. Examples:
- Reading a book on a topic of interest
- Performing music simply for the joy of performing
- Completing puzzles because you find mental challenge fun
Intrinsic motivation can lead to greater levels of involvement and success over time, particularly for education and creative activities.
2. Extrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic motivation is motivation that comes from outside you. You are motivated by something external to yourself, such as a reward, acknowledgement, some form of income, praise, or in some cases, avoiding punishment. Examples:
- Studying in order to get good grades
- Staying late at work in order to receive a special bonus
- Cleaning your room to avoid reprimand
Extrinsic motivation may be effective as a short-term solution for motivation, but when no internal interest exists, extrinsic motivation may not work over a longer period of time.
Key Theories of Motivation in Psychology
Psychologists have developed many theories of motivation to understand how and why motivation works. Each theory provides a specialized view or interpretation to help us understand different kinds of behavior, while also showing how and why these behaviors are produced.
1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow theorized human motivation was arranged by a hierarchy of needs, explained within a pyramid. According to Maslow, we need to satisfy lower level needs first, before being able to pursue higher level growth needs. There are five levels of needs:
- Physiological needs – food, water, sleep
- Safety needs – security, shelter, health
- Love and belonging – relationships, community
- Esteem needs – achievement, respect, recognition
- Self-actualization – becoming the best version of yourself and fulfilling your purpose in life
Maslow’s hierarchy helps to explain why someone facing an eviction and cannot pay the rent, would not be motivated to start on working on a passion project – the physiological needs come first.
2. Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
Self-Determination Theory references three fundamental psychological needs regarding motivation.
- Autonomy – the need to feel in charge of your behavior
- Competence – the need to feel good and capable
- Relatedness – the need to feel connected to other people
SDT states that when these conditions are met, people are more likely to be intrinsically motivated. This is particularly relevant in education or workplace psychology where motivation can peak in contexts of support.
3. Drive Reduction Theory
Drive Reduction Theory posits that humans are motivated to eliminate internal tension that occurs when biological needs are unmet. For example, if you’re hungry, you experience a drive (tension), which results in motivation to eat to eliminate the drive. It is a straightforward model that looks primarily at survival-based behaviors, but it’s important to note that this is a theory foundational to behavioral psychology.
4. Incentive Theory
Incentive Theory could be thought of as the opposite of Drive Reduction – rather than being pushed by internal needs people are pulled by external rewards. The more valuable or attractive the incentive, the more motivated one would be to accomplish the task.
Example:
A student may be encouraged to study more if they know there is a scholarship associated with it.
5 Arousal Theory
Arousal Theory posits that individuals are motivated to achieve an optimal level of arousal (mental and physical alertness). When there is not enough stimulation, one becomes bored. When too much stimulation occurs, one becomes stressed.
Example:
For example, one person might skydive to increase arousal, while another person might meditate to decrease arousal. This theory explains why some individuals are thrill-seekers, while some individuals prefer peaceful and quiet environments.
