Theories of varied motivation in psychology

It is said that entire psychology is ab off the study of need itself. In fact the science of psychology evolved to explain, answer and drive the whitherfore of adult male being port. Motivation holds the answer to this wherefore because when we attempt to campaign for a particular appearance or attitude then basically we argon finding the motivations responsible for that particular manner (Gorman, 2003, 1). People perform a variety of actions through multiple roles according to their dominant motivation that guides their behavior.In psychological studies the implicit motivations ascertain mankind behavior ar non only considered from point of view of biological drives and neurological impetus besides they argon in like manner explained by relational aspect of human behavior where motivation is a combat-ready aspect of the behavior that helps people to interact with the world (Nuttin, 1984,1). M either(prenominal)(prenominal) theorist attempt to offer generalized translation for a majority of human actions purely in terms of ingrained instinct or sudden longing.Even the people engaged in performing those actions whitethorn also agree to this viewpoint. However, the theory of instinct and impulse presents an incomplete rational because there be critical external factors and attractions that also contribute towards the particular motivation. Therefore human motivation is a dynamic product of combination of intrinsic human traits as well as their environmental treatedting.A nonher important factor that plays an important role in explaining motivational factors in behavior is human emotion (Gorman, 2003, 89). Human beings bewilder a number of emotional states that address to fluctuate and they act as causative factors in a large number of actions undertaken by them. As a matter of fact, motivation is a product of a in truth complex process of internal and external interaction of human beings with themselves and their environ and it acts a s stimulant and provide energy for their behaviors and consequent actions.Psychoanalytic exposition of motivesMotives interests psychologist because they provide insight into the character and undertake of individuals, providing psychologists with test materials on which they lav further form and expand their theories. The reasons of specific actions, such(prenominal) as why did a person steal, why did he commit a murder, why did he participate in a cause where he was not interested, or why did he contributed a majority of his wealth to beneficent causes can perhaps be better understood if the motives behind them are sought. The implicit notion is that there are some actions which deviant to a persons characteristics and those that are difficult be explained by any standard rule based system (Peters, 1958, 28).Psychologists, in their attempts to explore the motives, that is the set of specific reasons for deviant as well as normal actions moderate given considerable attention t o the unconscious self of human beings of which they are themselves un assured. The unconscious self is composed of repressed feelings of deprivations, unfulfilled desires and infant sexuality and it subtly acts on every human being to set the manakin of many of their actions (Peters, 1958, 55).This theory of unconscious mental process, as proposed by Freud, and the psychoanalytical explanations it offered, did not profess to explain the entire gamut of human behaviors, but it certainly provided a more panoramic view to cause and reasons of many human actions that were hitherto conventionally explained on mere visible evidences. According to the overbold wisdom, actions performed by people have a long and complicated priming and though they may appear final or conclusive in their immediate bearing, they are part of a long chain of interconnected events.Therefore even the simple question that why did flush toilet flip crosswise the road take vast proportion in psychology. As ex plained by Peters (4), the simple answer that magic trick crosses the road to buy some tobacco is insufficient, even though John himself in unaware of any other motive. To a psychologist, in crossing the road to buy tobacco, John is conforming to many hearty and cultural stereotypes such as he is not running or crawling across the road to stool the tobacco (ibid, 5).If John had run, then his goal of obtaining tobacco would had fallen unequal with his action that should had warranted more urgent justification. However as John walks across the road, it indicates that procuring tobacco is a kind of activity that should be accomplished in a normal behavioral conduct to make it appear as an appropriate social function. A psychologist might further argue that John has secret liking for tobacconists girl, and he goes to the particular wander to see that girl, though he may himself be not aware of this.Another explanation might be offered that John had an unconscious disliking of earn from which he wanted to escape and the act of going to tobacconist was a way for him to stay away from the unpleasant work. Its important to see here that in neither of these explanations John himself is aware of any other reason other than buying tobacco, but each of the region, both of them or some(prenominal) others can be true to the case.The Biological Approach to MotivesThe biological or physiological aspects of motives are perhaps the earliest explanations that were offered to reason for motives behind human actions and behaviors. This approach views human as drive-oriented animals who are more the product of biological factors of cellular and neurochemical reactions, acting through our genetic traits alone and spurred by chuck out of hormones to different actions. This physiological analysis puts instinct as the primary reason behind every human action and its framework basic human instincts such as desire to eat, drink, sleep and have sex combine to form the further ra mifications of human behavior (Gorman, 2003,14).In this model, drives for specific actions cause people and they respond accordingly in their behavior. It states that behavior of people is the head of homeostasis, that is, the tendency to maintain a stable internal environment of body. eubstance responds to any deprivation that threatens the stability of internal equilibrium and unleashes corresponding behavior to correct it (Weiner, 1980, 11). thusly homeostasis drive theory accounts for situations where a person may be compelled to steal food if he is hungry, or run if he is threatened, as maintaining the internal equilibrium is principle motive of any sustenance organism.behavioural approach to motivesAs Nuttin (1984, 16) states, understanding of motivational process is critically dependent on understanding of dynamic aspects of human behavior. In the theater of operations of psychology behavior refers to cognitive activities that an individual performs in the context of a behavioral world (ibid, 17). These activities can not be understood if they are treated separately, and therefore an integrated model of behavior interpretation is requisite that views that takes a complete and related view of all the processes in the sustainment organism.According to the behavioral model, the various biochemical functions and basic drives are encompassed by behavior that gives these individual traits their full meaning and purpose (ibid, 18). As such hunger, thirst, sleep, sex drive, fear, ecstasy, loyalty etc are not isolated factors in determining motives. Instead they are integrated as part of the behavioral organise that creates a sense of organic continuity. Thus seeing changes to watching and sense of hearing changes to listening in the behavioral model.Various theories and models in the field of social behavior have come with suggestion that human behavior reflects a persons intent to act (Orbell, 2004, 145). According to each of these models it is acco mplishable to predict behavior from intentions and behavioral control displayed by a person. Behavioral characteristics can successfully account for specific types of motivations seen with various actions. For example, harvesting, hunting and seek are quite different behaviors, yet they are done with the corresponding objective of procuring food.Similarly, despite their different behavioral traits, people are essentially same every where, in the sense that they seek love, trust, social respect, and fiscal stability, thus acting through almost identical motivational drives. inside the behavioral system, a form of unity and cohesion is attempted out of multiple elements interacting together in a motivational setup (Nuttin, 1984, 84). humanitarian Approach to MotivesThe humanistic approach in describing different motives for human actions is a relatively new field. Its fundamental principles, as stated by Weiner(1980, 409) are1. Humanistic psychology studies people in their real lif e circumstances, where humans are subjects of the study, rather than object. People are described in their stimulate consciousness and perceptions and the reasons and motives of their actions are placed along with their individuality, in a holistic and complete framework.2. Humanistic psychologists also believe that human choice, will, their desire to perish ahead in life, to grow and realize their potentials contribute to their actions, behavior and approach to life.3. The dominant characteristics of any individual is to achieve personal potential, and develop their capacities and talents to highest level. Thus the central motivation in an individuals life is to grow, sham ahead and develop his or her own self.ConclusionHuman actions would continue to be defined, analyzed and interpreted from a number of points of view, according to various theories, models and approaches to understand its complexity and give complete meaning to its attributes, in target to evolve a wholesome p icture of factors that motivates people towards a vary degree of actions.Motivations can be best understood from the dynamics of behavior and the integrated setup that provides basis for planning, thinking, action and achievements of goals to people. Further, people are cause to different actions based on their own perception of needs and requirements as well acting through their subconscious self, which explains for the difference in their perceived reason of their certain steps from the actual reasons justifying it.ReferenceGorman, P, 2003, Motivation and Emotion, Routledge, sensitive York.Nuttin, J, 1984, Motivation, Planning, and Action A Relational Theory of Behavior Dynamics, (trnsltr) Jean E. Dumas ,, Raymond P. Lorion , Leuven University crusade Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Leuven, Belgium.Orbell, S, 2004, Contemporary Perspectives on the Psychology of Attitudes The Cardiff Symposium. (edit ) Geoffrey Haddock, Gregory R. Maio, Psychology Press. Hove, England.Peters RS, 1 985,The Concept of Motivation. Routledge & Kegan Paul capital of the United KingdomWeiner, H, 1980, Human Motivation, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ