PSYCH101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Henri Tajfel, Edward L. Deci, Konrad Lorenz

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Richard Ennis

Document Summary

Motivation is a theory of why people do the things they do: however, to predict what a person will do is very difficult, with the theory also comes the ability to control behaviour. Motivation is an inferred construct, we don"t see it, but is inferred because it is necessary for human behaviour: however, it is not easy to measure. Motivation isfleeting and temporary, it is variable over the course of time and circumstances: not like learning, which is more permanent. Scientist try to measure motivation the same way everyone infer motivation. Measured by perceived level of effort or by physiological arousal. Volitional approach or avoidance of alternative activities. Selection of outcomes worthy of effort: motivated people do behaviors that will reward their efforts. Degree of task difficulty selected: motivated people take the harder road. Commitment to choices: a motivated person doesn"t change his goals. Continued effort following frustration: when faced with resistance, or failure, motivated people don"t give up.