Motivation, Emotion and Adjustment
The unit tests motivational theory, the classification of motives, theories of emotion, and the mechanics of adjustment and defence.
Motivation
Motivation is the internal state that arouses, directs and sustains behaviour. The cycle runs need, drive, incentive, goal, relief. Maslow's hierarchy, bottom-up: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, self-actualisation (cognitive and aesthetic needs are inserted above esteem in the expanded version). Lower needs are prepotent. Types: intrinsic (interest, satisfaction) and extrinsic (marks, prizes, praise); achievement motivation is McClelland's n-Ach, measured by the TAT.
Emotion
An emotion has physiological arousal, expressive behaviour and conscious experience. Theories: James-Lange (bodily changes come first), Cannon-Bard (arousal and experience occur simultaneously), Schachter-Singer two-factor (arousal plus cognitive label), Lazarus (cognitive appraisal precedes emotion). Goleman popularised emotional intelligence as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills.
Adjustment
Adjustment is the balance between personal needs and environmental demands. Frustration follows blocking; conflicts are approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, approach-avoidance and double approach-avoidance. Defence mechanisms include rationalisation, projection, displacement, sublimation, reaction formation, regression, compensation and denial.
Worked example
A student who fails a test says, "The paper was out of syllabus and the teacher is biased." Name and justify the mechanism. Reasoning: he is supplying a socially acceptable, logical-sounding excuse for a failure he cannot accept, which is rationalisation. It is not projection, which would mean attributing his own unwanted motives to others.
Traps that cost marks
Reversing Maslow's order; confusing James-Lange with Cannon-Bard; treating every defence mechanism as pathological; confusing approach-avoidance with double approach-avoidance.