General Principles of Motivation
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What is Homeostasis?
In this short lecture clip, Davaid A. Singer discusses homeostasis in very simple terms. What is homeostasis, and why is it necessary to our survival? How does the body remain balanced despite changes in weather? How does the body adjust when processes are out of balance?
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Jack LaLanne Incentive
Jack LaLanne is an American fitness, exercise, and nutritional expert who has been called “the godfather of fitness.” In this clip, he tells the story of an overweight student (George) he went to high school with. What is an incentive? Is his example of an incentive a good one? What are push versus pull theories? What is the difference between…
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Four Theories of Motivation
The first half of this clip presents the four theories of motivation instinct theory, drive-reduction theory, arousal theory, and incentive theory. It also includes an explanation of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. The remainder of this clip discusses emotion. Why are motivation and emotion so often taught together? Is it important that you understand motivation in order to understand emotion as…
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Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
This is a 3 minute preview of the full length documentary entitled “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” The program profiles Abraham Maslow and shows how his hierarchy of needs theory relates to such disciplines as business and psychology. The program examines needs relating to physiology, security, safety, belonging, love, esteem, and self-actualization. What is actualization? Why is self-confidence important to the…
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Frog Catching a Fly
This short clip shows a frog catching a fly that wanders into its pond. Since this behavior satisfies the frogs need for food, we might guess that it is motivated. However, the behavior appears to be as constant as a reflex. How might you determine whether this behavior is motivated?
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Search for Ft. Hood Motive
In this report from CBS News, the recent attack at Fort Hood is discussed in an attempt to understand the attackers motives. When we speak about motive in a crime, what are we talking about? How is criminal motivation different or the same from psychological motivation?
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Konrad Lorenz Imprint
This video is classic (silent) footage of Konrad Lorenz while conducting his imprinting experiment with geese. What motivated the need for attachment in the geese? According to Lorenz, animals engage in instinctive acts when specific energies reach a critical level. What does that mean in relation to motivation?
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EDPS 251 Motivation Presentation
This student project uses clips from movies and television to explain some basic concepts of motivation, including intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation. Do you agree with the conclusions made in this video? Are these good examples of the concepts discussed? Can you think of other examples from popular films or television?
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Jackson Pollock & Mark Rothko: Icons of Abstract Expressionism
This clip discusses the art of Jackson Pollock, an important figure in the abstract expressionism movement. What would be an example of extrinsic motivation for an artist? What would be an example of intrinsic motivation? Which do you think would be a more powerful motivational tool?
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