Description
Motivation/emotion Study
The psychology of motivation: Why do we behave as we do? Why do we eat when we are not hungry? Why would one jump out of an airplane? Why would a person risk a relationship to seek alternative sexual experiences? Why would one work more hours than necessary to earn a living?
Theories of motivation
Evolutionary perspective: All species have innate behaviors, or instincts, that support survival. Challenge to theory, some researchers believe humans do not have instincts that are similar to other species…
Drive-reduction and homeostasis: Humans respond to primary (biological drives) and to maintain physiological set point (or bodily balance). If we are hungry, we eat, if we are cold, we raise the temperature in the room or put on a sweater. Humans also support acquired drives. We learn to acquire money in order to buy food (supports biological drive). Challenge to theory, many people achieve goals that do not support primary needs, eating when no hunger exists, earning far more money than needed to buy food and shelter.
Search for stimulation: Humans seek to increase stimulation, engage in new activities, and avoid boredom. Challenge to theory, some people are satisfied by fulfillment of basic needs, and in fact, avoid too much stimulation.
Humanistic theory: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Maslow suggested once humans have fulfilled basic needs, they move on to achieve “self-actualization.” Challenge to theory, same as above for search for stimulation.
Rathus, S.A. (2014). PSYCH. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Assignment
Perform a study to answer a question about how people think/behave using any topic from the motivation/emotion chapter or beyond! Topics include motivation (to achieve goals, to earn money, to avoid unpleasant stimuli), eating/hunger, sexual behaviors, emotional behaviors, pursuit of happiness, etc.
There are many surveys online and you can use an existing survey or can create a hybrid survey by combining several existing surveys. Be sure to credit the survey author(s) in your presentation.
A few links with information you could borrow or adopt for your survey:
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/psych/psychsci/media/survey.htm (achievement motivation scale)
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/want_job.html (what do people want from their jobs?)
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/nutrition/whats_your_eating_style.aspx
(eating habits survey)
Your presentation should include the following elements:
Number of participants
Defined population (eg. College students)
Defined sample (random? Convenience?)
Research setting
Findings
Interpretation of findings (most important aspect of presenting results – your theories, conclusions, suggestions)
Limitations of the study
Recommendations for future research?
Project/Presentation information:
Brainstorm and come up with a topic that interests you or the majority of group members (if group project format). Create a survey (or borrow one from the Internet). Administer your survey in any form that suits. You can use traditional paper/pencil survey or an online survey (using Survey Monkey or similar). You can distribute the survey using social media forums such as Facebook. You or each group member administers your group’s survey to people they know. Compile the survey results and share results with peers in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. If group format, only one person from the group has to present the results but all group members must contribute to the project.
Sample Solution
