Question

Describe basic theories of motivation including concepts such as instincts, drive reduction, and self-efficacy

Answer 1

Instincts, drive reduction, and self-efficacy are basic theories of motivation. Instincts are automatic behaviors, drive reduction theory emphasizes meeting physiological needs, and self-efficacy is an individual's belief in their own capability.

Step-by-step explanation:

Instincts: Instincts are innate, automatic, and involuntary behaviors that animals possess in order to survive and reproduce. For example, a baby's instinct to root for a nipple and suck is crucial for their survival.

Drive Reduction: Drive reduction theory suggests that deviations from homeostasis create physiological needs, which result in psychological drive states that direct behavior to meet the need and bring the system back to homeostasis. For example, hunger motivates individuals to seek food to restore their blood sugar levels.

Self-efficacy: Self-efficacy is an individual's belief in their own capability to complete a task. It plays a pivotal role in motivating behavior as individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to take on challenging tasks and persevere through setbacks.

Answer 2

Motivation refers to the psychological processes that drive and energize a person's behaviour. Generally, it’s assumed that motivation is a result of both external and internal factors.

Instincts are innate, unlearned, and prewired behaviours that are essential for organisms’ survival. Instinct-based motivation theory suggests that basic, unlearned behaviours such as feeding, sleeping, and sex are motivated by instinct.

Drive reduction theory proposes that humans are motivated to reduce the physiological tension of needs or drives. For example, when an individual is hungry they are motivated to eat so as to reduce their internal drive of hunger.

Self-efficacy, the belief in one's ability to succeed in a given task, is a key factor in motivation. People often react to their own self-efficacy beliefs when approaching tasks. If a person believes they have the capability to complete a task, they are more likely to be motivated to do so.

Overall, motivation is a complex concept comprised of a variety of different theories, such as instincts, drive reduction, and self-efficacy. Each of these theories strives to explain why and how people pursue certain goals and behaviours.