Arousal Theory of motivation - IAS psychology notes download

Hope you have read the earlier theory of motivation, the drive theory of motivation. If not go through it before continuing here. 

The Clark Hull's drive reduction theory described earlier is reduction of tension when a behaviour is completed. 
You feel hungry > drive to eat food> ate food> drive reduced (with time hunger/drive comes again, behavior repeated. 

The issues in describing certain behaviors like sexual motivation etc gave rise to the Arousal theory of motivation. The important factor of the theory is that arousal needs to be optimum for an activity. One of the very often shown picture is that of a smiling gentleman skydiving. What on the world motivates him to do it?. 

I remember the behavior of a college batch mate of mine, i call him genius ray as he can pass any exam after studying just 3 hours. The hard workers study endlessly and he completes the same task in exactly 2 to 4 hourrs. Once i asked, Dude why you wait till morning 7:00 to start reading for exam at 10:00. His answer was simple, its boring to read before. His level of arousal to read for an exam comes just few hours before the exam. 

source:www.verywell.com

Arousal theory of motivation: This theory suggests that human beings need an optimal level of arousal for a behavior.

An aspirant may read psychology at a different level of arousal and GS at another level of arousal. The behavior (to read a subject) various with the level of arousal in him/her. (Variation in arousal regarding activity). The ability to read depends on the level of arousal. In case, you didn’t have a meal or you had a tiring day, then the arousal level may be low. The time spend in reading may go in vain. You may sit with book but the reading might be slow. This is a situation where the arousal is low. Hence, you may need good rest or sleep to bring back arousal to optimum level so that you can read psychology and clear UPSC!(optimum level of arousal needed for an activity)

What I have put as arousal-performance relation is known by a cute name “Yerkes-Dodson law”. This law describes the arousal-behavior curve.  Eg: You have studied everything for psychology exam and tomorrow is psychology exam, the performance (motivation to write) vary with level of arousal. If you are too excited or too low (two sides of arousal – low and high), the performance might go down. This is why it’s often asked to take deep breath and take a break before exam. Too much last minute reference etc may push the arousal high and hamper, similarly too much coolness can also spoil the outcome.

To submit the law as is: Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that level of arousal beyond which performance begins to decline is a function of task difficulty.

The issue with the theory is describing and measuring the optimal arousal. The arousal of a person may be different from another. How to measure? How to find the optimal arousal for a particular activity?

The arousal theory considers the individual differences in motivation, differences in motivation with respect to activity. It also can explain the difference in motivation during various times of a day.

In all the theories of motivation, think of situation where it can be applied. An original example cited by you would be of much use than a copy paste from a book. Also keep in mind it will be often asked along with Clark Hull's drive reduction theory. Don't be bogged down by these hard names - Clark Hull or Yerkes Dodson, keep your arousal optimum. 

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Psychology notes: Motivation theories - drive theory

Psychology uses a number of theories to explain a concept or term. Same is for “motivation”

Why do you write civil service again and again? What motivates Leander Paes or Dhoni  to practice  before each match? What motivated a rich man’s son to shed his weight?

The theories as single or mostly as a bundle can be used to explain motivation. The earliest of the theories is Drive Theory. In common parlance motivation is often called as drive too. What drives you to do it? Is common way of asking What motivated you?.

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The drive theory is used to explain behaviors like drinking water or eating food. The basic biological needs pushes a person to do a behavior to reduce the need.

Biological need - > drive - > bahaviour -> reduces drive - > need satisfied  (for that time to re-occur later).

The drive is closely related to homeostasis. The drive leads to behavior for human body to reach homeostasis. Homeostasis is a concept in physiology which tells that body functions maintain the cells or body in normal range. Once the homeostasis is disturbed ( hunger/thirst) the body balance changes. This creates a drive for the human being to act in manner to maintain this homeostasis.

The theory which was initially used to explain eating or drinking was later extended to other behavioral patterns. But the extent to which it can explain all types of motivation is questionable.

Eg: Person may read erotic material to increase sexual excitement even though sexual activity may not be anticipated. Here the behavior increase drive.

This and many other behavior shows that drive theory is insufficient to explain “motivation”.

.. to be continued!

Keywords: biological need, homeostasis

Definition

Motivation: Internal processes that activate, guide and maintain behaviour over time (source: Robert A Baron)