MOTIVATION

Dr. Sohail Ahmed

(Dept. of Psychiatry)

MOTIVATION
One of the components of Behavioral Sciences
Syllabus of second year
There will be four interactive sessions in second year
Questions will be asked in end of module assessment
Result of evaluation will be carried in continuous
assessment
A module of Behavioral Sciences will be included in
third year covering the major topics
Students would be required to pass the assessment in
Behavioral Sciences to be eligible to appear in final
year MBBS

MOTIVATION
We all want to be successful in life.
We all want to achieve what we can-----BUT
Have you ever thought why some people seem to be very
successful in life and others are not ?
Apart from the factors of luck and opportunities, a very
important factor is the MOTIVATION.
Why some individuals are highly motivated and others
are not ?
Where does the energy, the drive, or the direction come
from?

Motive & Motivation

Commonly used words !
Motive is derived from the Latin word
movere meaning---to move.
Motivation is a is a process or state within
an organism that propels the organism
toward a goal.

Motives and Needs

Motives arise from needs.
Need : A state of deprivation.
Needs may be
Physiological needs
Psychological needs

Physiological Needs

Physiological needs are those which are essential

for existence of an organism like :
Hunger
Thirst
Elimination of waste
Warmth
Protection from environment
Sexual release
Physiological needs reside in the physical make
up of organism. We all share similar physiological
needs

Psychological Needs
Psychological needs are not essentially required
for existence but very important for progress in
the life and growth.
Psychological needs include :
Achievements
Authority or power
Status
Self esteem
Social approval, recognition and prestige.
Psychological needs are acquired through
learning, commitment and persistent efforts to
achieve a goal.

Theories of Motivation

The Instinct Theory

Drive reduction theory
Cognitive Theory
Humanistic theory

Instinct Theory
Instinct theory explains the needs for survival
All organisms are born with specific innate
knowledge about how to survive
These physiological needs which are essentially
required for survival include hunger, thirst,
temperature control, protection and sexual release
These physiological needs are explained in
biological perspective by instinct theory
Biological perspective considers the roles of
nervous system and endocrines.

Role of Hypothalamus
The part of the brain that lies below the thalamus,
forming the major portion of the ventral region of
the diencephalon and is also attached to pituitary
gland.
It is a very important structure and it regulates
many important functions of body like food
intake, weight regulation, fluid intake and
balance, thirst, body heat, sleep cycle, endocrine
functions, autonomic activities and sexual
behavior

Hypothalamus

Hypothalamus

Hypothalamus & Physiological needs

The hypothalamus monitors blood glucose
levels and the body's water content to
regulate appetite for food or drink. It
regulates body temperature, sleep and
sexual behavior.

Hypothalamus & Physiological needs

The brain's thirst center lies in hypothalamus
which contains cells that respond to changes in
the concentration of body fluids. When the thirst
center is stimulated by an increased concentration
of blood (that is--dehydration), thirst and fluid
consumption increase.
Same mechanism operates in the feeling of
hunger.

Hypothalamus & Physiological needs

The hypothalamus also acts as the
thermostat controlling the temperature of
the body.
Hypothalamus (ventromedial nucleus) also
regulates the sexual behavior of the
humans.

Drive reduction theory

According to Clark Hull (1943), humans have
internal biological needs which motivate us to
perform a certain way and we learn to engage in
behaviors that have the effect of reducing drives.
A prime example would be the internal feelings of
hunger or thirst, which motivates us to eat.
According to this theory, we are driven to reduce
these drives so that we may maintain a sense of
internal calmness

Cognitive Theory
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

Humanistic Theory
Humanistic theory is perhaps the most well
know theory of motivation.
According to this theory, humans are
driven to achieve their maximum potential.
Humanistic theory also mentions
physiological needs but mainly emphasize
on psychological needs

Humanistic Theory
The best way to describe this theory is to
utilize the famous pyramid developed by
Abraham Maslow (1970) called the
Hierarchy of Needs.

Humanistic Theory
Maslow believed that humans have specific
needs that must be met and that if lower level
needs go unmet, we can not possible strive for
higher level needs.
The Hierarchy of Needs shows that at the lower
level, we must focus on basic issues such as food,
sleep, and safety. Without food, without sleep,
how could we possible focus on the higher level
needs such as respect, education, and
recognition?

Humanistic Theory
Humanistic psychologists particularly Abraham
Maslow believed that people are also motivated
by the conscious desire for personal growth.
Maslow believed that we are separated from lower
animals by our capacity for self-actualisation.
Self-actualisation is self-initiated striving to
become what one is capable of being; the motive
for reaching ones full potential, for expressing
ones unique capabilities.

Maslow's Pyramid of Needs

Maslow's Pyramid of Needs

Needs arranged in a hierarchy and low-level needs must
be met before trying to satisfy higher-level needs
Physiological needs are needs for survival include hunger,
thirst, elimination, warmth, pain avoidance and sex
release. These needs are fulfilled by food, water, shelter
and sexual contact
Safety needs are needs for security and include protection
from environment, housing, clothing and security from
crime.
Love and belongingness needs include needs for social
interaction and affection. These needs are fulfilled by
intimate relationship, social groups and friends.

Maslow's Pyramid of Needs

Esteem needs include needs for feelings of
adequacy, competence and confidence.
These are achieved by gaining
achievement, competence, approval,
recognition, prestige and status.
Self actualisation is need to develop ones
true potentials and skills. It is achieved by
becoming what one is capable of being.

Maslow's Pyramid of Needs

Self-actualization means a complete understanding of
who you are, a sense of completeness, of being the best
person you could possibly be
According to Maslow, nobody has ever reached the peak
of his pyramid. We all may strive for it and some may
even get close, but no one has achieved full selfactualization. .
To have achieved this goal is to stop living, for what is
there to strive for if you have learned everything about
yourself, if you have experienced all that you can, and if
there is no way left for you to grow emotionally,
intellectually, or spiritually.

Maslow's Pyramid of Needs

The Importance of Goals

Goals improve motivation when:
The goal is specific
The goal is challenging but achievable
The goal is framed in terms of approach
goals instead of avoidance goals
Approach goals are framed as getting what is
wanted.
Avoidance goals are framed in terms of avoiding
unpleasant experiences.

Types of Goals
Performance Goals
Goals framed in terms of performing well in
front of others, being judged favourably, and
avoiding criticism.

Mastery (Learning) Goals

Goals framed in terms of increasing ones
competence and skills.

Why Motivation is important in life ?

Motivation is a force which keeps us
moving towards achieving goals in life
Without motivation life would be aimless.
Motivation is required in :
Studies
Occupational engagements
Clinical settings

Lack of Motivation in studies

Common reasons are :
Unclear and ambiguous goals
Lack of interest
Ineffective teaching methodology / teachers
incompetency
Ineffective scheduling
Distractions
Repeated failures
Lack of confidence due to underlying
psychological issues

Lack of Motivation in Job

Job insecurity
Unsatisfactory working conditions
Inadequate salaries
No incentives
Unsatisfactory promotion policy
No added benefits
Poor liaison of employer / administration with
employees

Motivation in clinical settings

Motivation to get better

Optimism versus pessimism
Underlying psychological illnesses
Motivation to seek treatment
Knowledge about illness---awareness
Belief in therapist and healthcare system
Belief in support system