Other Motivation Concepts

Intrinsic motivation is defined as motivation to complete a behavior because it is internally satisfying to the person. On the contrary, extrinstic motivation is defined as motivation to complete a behavior to acquire extrinsic rewards (for example, money, food, or elevation of status).

William Masters and Virginia Johnson noted in their study on the sexual response cycle that sexual desire can be present even if one does not have the ability to have sex anymore.

Parker's lethargic attitude and unwillingness to participate in school are most indicative of "depression." His personality has not been affected, but more so his mood and his outlook. His lack of energy is not a sign of mania and his intact personality rules out disassociate identity disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.

A primary drive is a drive that is completely unlearned, something that any human will inherit regardless of their socialization, upbringing, or background. Primary drives are concerned with survival and reproduction. These drives for humans are hunger, sex, thirst, sleep, and bathroom needs. All of these ensure the health, maintenance, and reproduction of the human species.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs ranges from physiological needs (at the bottom of the pyramid) to self-actualization needs (at the top of the pyramid). Self-actualization involves achieving one's unique potential, and is much more spiritually oriented than the lower levels.

The Set Point Theory is the theory that the hypothalamus wants to maintain a certain ideal body weight. Once we reach that set point, our metabolism kicks in to burn off the excess food.

Psychoanalysts use both of these projective tests in the attempt to access a patient's unconscious mind. The idea behind their use is the possibility that what sense the patient makes of an inkblot or the story they create behind an ambiguous picture will reveal hidden emotions, conflicts, or desires that have been troubling him/her without his/her direct knowledge.

Aptitude tests are used to determine an individual's underlying capacity or talent at a task; aptitudes can be mental or physical. Intelligence tests are used strictly in an attempt to measure mental acuity. Achievement tests are used to test both skill and aptitude. Morality tests are used to assess individuals' response to specific, moral situations.

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need for esteem is the need to achieve goals for approval and recognition in our community. The need for esteem also includes self-esteem and self-approval. The need for esteem is separated into higher and lower level needs, lower being the need to be approved of by others, higher being self-esteem and approval.

The correct answer here is homeostasis, a internally balanced state in which our needs, and the drives created by those needs, are satisfied. When one is experiencing needs and drives, one is out of homeostasis.

Intrinsic motivation is when someone completes an action because the action itself is an enjoyable process. This contrasts with external motivation, where an action is completed in order to gain external reward or avoid a negative external consequence. If I'm painting a landscape because I need money and someone will buy my painting, I may enjoy painting it, but this will have been an externally motivated behavior. If I engage in an action like reading, drawing, or the like, because it is pleasurable and there is no expectation of reward, this is intrinsically motivated.