PSYCHOLOGY - Exam 10

What is motivation according to the lecture? How is this different from the books definition?
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What is motivation according to the lecture? How is this different from the books definition?
In class, we said motivation is a measure of the strength of the reinforcer associated with a certain behavior or condition. The definition of motivation given in the book said that it is an inferred process within a person or animal that causes movement either toward a goal or away from an unpleasant situation
What did I mean when I said "psychological and biological needs are the same"?
The psychological needs of love, affection, and nurturing can have affects on our biological state. We need these psychological activities to be biologically or physically healthy
If you are unmotivated to do something, what might you do to motivate yourself? Give an example
You can associate a reinforcer with it (create a contingency)

Example: I cannot look at my phone until I've studied for 30 minutes
Much of the research referred to in this chapter was done using surveys. What's the problem with research of this kind?
Surveys are especially prone to bias because the person filling out the survey is self-reporting answers to questions and may do so dishonestly or inaccurately
What are rules according to the lecture? Give an example
Rules are verbal directions that we are taught that specify the reinforcement and punishment contingencies that govern our behavior, even if we don't contact the contingencies directly. An example would be telling a child not to touch the stove or else he will burn his hand. He doesn't have to actually touch the stove to learn this rule
What are expectations and how could they be harmful with regard to the development of self-fulfilling prophecies?
They are learned reinforcers - if something has been reinforced in the past, it is likely it will be reinforced in the future. They could be harmful regarding self-fulfilling prophecies due to not believing you can do something, and then that expectation isn't fulfilled
Discuss three aspects of the work environment that can be modified to increase motivation and thus productivity
Three ways to increase workplace motivation include assigning work that feels meaningful, allowing employees to have control over aspects of their work, and to give employees useful feedback about their performance
Why is incentive pay the best way to motivate employees?
Incentive pay is an effective motivator because it involves a clear specification of rules, the employees have control over their performance, and it provides immediate feedback to employees
What is the difference between performance goals and mastery goals?
A performance goal is worded in terms of the end result, whereas a mastery goal is worded in terms of the behavior needed to reach the ultimate goal
Why is "doing your best" an ineffective goal? Discuss the conditions that must be met for goals to be useful
A good goal needs to be specific, measurable, and realistic. "Doing your best" is really none of these, so it does not make a good way to state a goal
How do cultural expectations and prejudice affect our ability to succeed? Give an exampleThe expectations and prejudices of a society affect the opportunities that people come in contact with, but if certain groups of people cannot control which opportunities are available, motivation has nothing to do with it. An example is in cultures where girls are not allowed to attend school. Their illiteracy is due to a lack of opportunities outside of their control, not a a lack of motivation