Motivation is the force that initializes guides and maintains goal oriented behavior. Motivation has had very significant effect in various work environments such as management and policy.
The Evolutionary Theory of Motivation
This theory claims that genetic mutations not only alter the physical traits but also impact the behavior of an individual. The fit genes survive and their traits manifested within the population behaviors. These behaviors are said to be instinctual and never made consciously. Through this, there is motivation among the individuals to participate in behaviors that optimizes the genetic fitness among them. New behaviors are known to develop through natural selection and this explains the basic idea supporting evolutionary psychology in relation to human development. For instance, the innate behavior among the young children such as crying when in distress had been pre-programmed in them through their ancestors due to environmental forces they underwent on their genotypes (Lumen, 2017) .
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Optimization Theory
This is related to the evolutionary theory. It is concerned with the assessment of the success of behaviors that give the highest returns within a given context by the help of cost/benefit analysis. This theory emphasizes that individuals get motivated to take up strategies like maximizing the amount of food consumed while reducing on the amount expended.
Maslow’s Hierarchy
Humans do get motivated by needs that are ranked according to a hierarchy known as the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The hierarchy states that certain needs are satisfied for the purpose of long term survival as well as development in relation to motivation. Some needs that are basic to all individuals; once satisfied, they no longer act as motivators hence focus shifts to greater needs. The levels consisted of five parts. The physiological, safety, love or belonging, esteem and self-actualization (Contactzilla, 2014)
Drive-reduction Theory
This theory states that humans are motivated to satisfying their psychological needs to be able to maintain a state of homeostasis. These comprises of desires like, thirst, hunger and also sexual desire. Emphasis is put on the role played by habits when it comes to behavior responses that one regularly engages.
Arousal Theory of Motivation
This further expounds on the theory of drive reduction. Whereas the purpose of motivation is biological, arousal theory focuses on the influences caused by the neural transmitter’s dopamine as a form of motivation in a body (Whitbourne, 2011)
Conclusion
There is no single motivation theory that fully explains all the aspects of individual’s motives or even lack of the same. Instead each method in the theories acts like a basis for developing a motivation technique. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs puts it out one must be in proper health, feel safe, and secure accompanied by good relationship as well as confidence in order to be the most one can possibly become.
References
Contactzilla. (2014, April 10). 5 Psychological Theories of Motivation to Increase Productivity . Retrieved 2014, from Contactzilla: https://contactzilla.com/blog/5-psychological-theories-motivation-increase-productivity/
Lumen. (2017). Theories of Motivation . Retrieved from Boundless Psychology: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/theories-of-motivation/
Whitbourne, S. K. (2011, October 11). Motivation: The Why’s of Behavior . Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201110/motivation-the-why-s-behavior
