MOTIVATION AND EMOTION

Motivation and emotion are two key areas of study in the field of psychology. In
this lecture, we will discuss the definitions of motivation and emotion, as well as
the different theories and approaches to studying them.
I. Introduction to Motivation
Motivation is the driving force that guides behaviour towards a particular goal or
outcome.
There are two types of motivation: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic motivation: this refers to the type of motivation that comes from within
an individual, driven by their internal desires, interests, and enjoyment of an
activity or task. It is the natural inclination to engage in an activity for its inherent
rewards, rather than for external rewards or pressure from others.
For example, a person who loves to paint and spends hours creating artwork
purely for the joy of it, without the need for any external reward or recognition, is
said to be intrinsically motivated to paint. Similarly, someone who enjoys
reading for the pleasure of learning and exploring new ideas, rather than for a
specific assignment or test, is intrinsically motivated to read.
Intrinsic motivation is often associated with increased creativity, enjoyment, and
satisfaction with one's work or activity, as well as better performance and
persistence in the long run. This is because people are naturally driven to
pursue activities that are aligned with their interests, values, and goals, and that
provide a sense of competence and autonomy.
Extrinsic motivation: this refers to the type of motivation that comes from
external rewards or pressures, rather than from within an individual. It is the
motivation to engage in an activity or behaviour in order to obtain a reward or
avoid a punishment, or to meet external expectations or standards.
For example, a student who studies hard for a test because they want to
receive a good grade and praise from their teacher is extrinsically motivated to
study. Similarly, an employee who works overtime to receive a bonus or a
promotion is extrinsically motivated to work.
Extrinsic motivation can come in various forms, such as financial incentives,
grades, praise, recognition, social approval, or fear of punishment. While it can
be effective in the short term, it may not be as sustainable or fulfilling as intrinsic
motivation, as it does not tap into an individual's personal interests, values, or
sense of autonomy.
In fact, relying too much on extrinsic motivation may even undermine intrinsic
motivation and lead to a decrease in enjoyment, creativity, and engagement in
the activity. For instance, a student who only studies for the sake of getting
good grades, rather than out of genuine interest in the subject matter, may

Fr. Jacob
become less motivated to learn and explore new ideas once the grades are no
longer a factor.
Therefore, it is important to find a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic
motivation, and to cultivate a sense of autonomy and internal drive in order to
achieve long-term success and well-being.

II. Theories of Motivation

1. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: suggests that human needs can be
arranged in a hierarchical order, from basic physiological needs to
higher-level needs such as self-actualization. A person who is struggling
to make ends meet may be primarily motivated by their physiological
needs (such as food, shelter, and safety), while someone who has those
needs met may be motivated by higher-level needs like belongingness
and esteem.
2. Self-Determination Theory: emphasizes the importance of intrinsic
motivation and the fulfilment of basic psychological needs, such as
autonomy, competence, and relatedness. A person who feels in control
of their life and is able to make choices that align with their values and
interests is likely to have a higher level of intrinsic motivation and well-
being than someone who feels powerless or constrained.
3. Expectancy-Value Theory: posits that motivation is influenced by a
person's expectation of success and the value they place on achieving
the goal. A student who believes they are capable of doing well on a test
and values the importance of the subject matter is likely to be more
motivated to study and perform well than a student who doubts their
abilities and doesn't see the value in the material.
4. Goal-Setting Theory: emphasizes the importance of setting specific and
challenging goals, which can enhance motivation and performance. A
person who sets a specific, challenging goal (such as running a
marathon) is more likely to be motivated and achieve the goal than
someone who sets a vague or easy goal (such as going for a short jog
every now and then).

III. Introduction to Emotion

Emotion refers to a complex psychological state that involves three
components: subjective experience, physiological arousal, and behavioural
expression.
Subjective Experience: This component refers to the personal, internal
experience of an emotion. It is the feeling that someone has when they
experience an emotion. For example, if someone is feeling happy, they may
describe their subjective experience as feeling joyful, content, or elated.

Fr. Jacob
Physiological Arousal: This component refers to the physical changes that
occur in the body when someone experiences an emotion. These changes can
include changes in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and other bodily
functions. For example, when someone experiences fear, their body may
experience an increase in heart rate and breathing rate, as well as sweating
and muscle tension.
Behavioral Expression: This component refers to the outward expression of
an emotion through behavior, such as facial expressions, body language, and
vocal cues. For example, if someone is feeling sad, they may express this
emotion through facial expressions like frowning, body language like slouching,
and vocal cues like a soft or quiet voice.
It is important to note that these three components are interconnected and can
influence one another. For example, if someone experiences a physiological
arousal response, such as sweating and increased heart rate, they may also
experience a subjective experience of fear or anxiety, and may express this
emotion through behaviors like running away or freezing in place.
Understanding the three components of emotion is important because it can
help us better understand our own emotional experiences, as well as the
emotional experiences of others. It can also help us develop strategies for
managing our emotions and responding appropriately to the emotions of others.
Basic types of emotions:
The basic types of emotions are a set of primary emotions that are believed to
be universal across cultures and are thought to be biologically-based. The basic
emotions include:
Happiness: A positive emotion that is often associated with feelings of joy,
contentment, and pleasure.
Sadness: A negative emotion that is often associated with feelings of loss,
disappointment, and grief.
Fear: A negative emotion that is often associated with feelings of danger,
anxiety, and apprehension.
Anger: A negative emotion that is often associated with feelings of frustration,
irritation, and hostility.
Surprise: A neutral or positive emotion that is often associated with feelings of
shock, astonishment, or amazement.
Disgust: A negative emotion that is often associated with feelings of revulsion,
nausea, and aversion.
These basic emotions are thought to be innate and universal, meaning that they
are present in all humans regardless of culture or upbringing. They are believed
to be biologically-based and controlled by specific neural circuits in the brain.

Fr. Jacob
While the basic emotions are relatively simple, they can be combined and
blended together to create more complex emotional experiences. For example,
someone may feel both fear and anger in response to a threatening situation, or
may experience both sadness and happiness when reminiscing about a past
event. Additionally, cultural and individual differences can influence the ways in
which basic emotions are experienced and expressed.

IV. Theories of Emotion

James-Lange Theory: suggests that emotions are the result of physiological
arousal, and that we experience emotions by interpreting our bodily sensations.
A person who feels their heart racing and palms sweating before a job interview
might interpret those bodily sensations as feelings of fear or nervousness,
which then contribute to their emotional experience.
Cannon-Bard Theory: proposes that emotions and physiological responses
occur simultaneously, rather than one causing the other. A person who sees a
bear in the woods might simultaneously experience fear and increased heart
rate.
Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory: posits that emotions are the result of
both physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of the situation. A person
who is experiencing physiological arousal and then interprets the situation as
being in love might experience feelings of romantic attraction.
Lazarus Theory: emphasizes the importance of cognitive appraisal in the
emotional experience. A person who encounters a snake might appraise the
situation as dangerous and experience fear as a result.
V. Motivation and Emotion in Everyday Life
Motivation and emotion are present in many aspects of everyday life, from work
and school to personal relationships.
Understanding the theories and concepts of motivation and emotion can help
individuals achieve their goals, better manage their emotions, and improve their
overall well-being.
Combination of Motivation and Emotion:
An athlete is motivated to train hard for a competition because they want to win
and experience the thrill of victory (motivation), and they feel excited and
energized when they imagine themselves succeeding (emotion).
A student is motivated to pursue a career in medicine because they are
passionate about helping people (intrinsic motivation), and they feel a sense of
fulfilment and satisfaction when they are able to make a positive difference in
someone's life (emotion).
In conclusion, motivation and emotion are complex and multifaceted concepts
that have been studied extensively in the field of psychology. By understanding
Fr. Jacob
the different theories and approaches to studying these concepts, individuals
can gain insight into their own behaviour and emotional experiences, and work
towards achieving their goals and improving their overall quality of life.
References
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human
needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-
268.
Ekman, P. (1992). An argument for basic emotions. Cognition & Emotion, 6(3-
4), 169-200.
LeDoux, J. E. (1996). The emotional brain: The mysterious underpinnings of
emotional life. Simon & Schuster.
Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Emotion and adaptation. Oxford University Press.
Reeve, J. (2018). Understanding motivation and emotion (7th ed.). Wiley.
Schacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., & Wegner, D. M. (2011). Psychology (2nd ed.).
Worth Publishers.
Weiner, B. (1992). Human motivation: Metaphors, theories, and research. Sage.

Fr. Jacob