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15.3: Introduction to Motivation

  • Page ID
    60019
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    What you’ll learn to do

    Explain motivation, how it is influenced, and major theories about motivation

    Photo of a man rappeling down a cliff-face while someone belays for him, holding the rope down on the ground.

    Motivation to engage in a given behavior can come from internal and/or external factors. There are multiple theories have been put forward regarding motivation—biologically oriented theories that say the need to maintain bodily homeostasis motivates behavior, Bandura’s idea that our sense of self-efficacy motivates behavior, and others that focus on social aspects of motivation. In this section, you’ll learn about these theories as well as the famous work of Abraham Maslow and his hierarchy of needs.

    Learning Objectives
    • Illustrate intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
    • Describe basic theories of motivation, including concepts such as instincts, drive reduction, and self-efficacy
    • Explain the basic concepts associated with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

    Contributors and Attributions

    CC licensed content, Original

    • Modification, adaptation, and original content. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
    CC licensed content, Shared previously

    15.3: Introduction to Motivation is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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