Psy/230 Motivation Theories
Motivation theories
Linda McKenzie
Psy 230
June 8, 2012
Stephanie Munro
Motivation theories
The theory that I would most agree with is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. He theorizes that a person’s most basic needs must be met before they can advance to the higher levels of need. First level is the physiological where the need for food, water, shelter are the most pressing. The next level is safety and security, Home, job, physical and financial security are the main factors here. The need for esteem and a feeling of importance and self worth are the cornerstones of the third level. Social needs are the needs for friends and a niche in society that indicates an acceptance are the four level of Maslow’s hierarchy. The fifth and final
level of need is the self-actualization need where the person has the need to be more than ordinary. He or she needs to be important in life to themselves and to others. The theory that I would mostly disagree with is Freud’s Psychoanalytical Theory. Freud believed that most of man’s motivation stemmed from sexuality or aggression. It also posits that man cannot change what is his nature because he is rarely conscious of his motivation. Freud boiled down his theory to four propositions; 1.Determinism, 2. Drive, 3.Conflict, and 4. The Unconscious. When asked why they are happy or unhappy a person does not know, therefore they are not responsible for their actions. Freud believed “we are not the master’s of our fate but pawn’s in life’s chess game.” (The Person. 2009) I personally cannot subscribe to that idea, I do believe that we are responsible for what we say and do and need to be held accountable.
Linda McKenzie
Psy 230
June 8, 2012
Stephanie Munro
Motivation theories
The theory that I would most agree with is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. He theorizes that a person’s most basic needs must be met before they can advance to the higher levels of need. First level is the physiological where the need for food, water, shelter are the most pressing. The next level is safety and security, Home, job, physical and financial security are the main factors here. The need for esteem and a feeling of importance and self worth are the cornerstones of the third level. Social needs are the needs for friends and a niche in society that indicates an acceptance are the four level of Maslow’s hierarchy. The fifth and final
level of need is the self-actualization need where the person has the need to be more than ordinary. He or she needs to be important in life to themselves and to others. The theory that I would mostly disagree with is Freud’s Psychoanalytical Theory. Freud believed that most of man’s motivation stemmed from sexuality or aggression. It also posits that man cannot change what is his nature because he is rarely conscious of his motivation. Freud boiled down his theory to four propositions; 1.Determinism, 2. Drive, 3.Conflict, and 4. The Unconscious. When asked why they are happy or unhappy a person does not know, therefore they are not responsible for their actions. Freud believed “we are not the master’s of our fate but pawn’s in life’s chess game.” (The Person. 2009) I personally cannot subscribe to that idea, I do believe that we are responsible for what we say and do and need to be held accountable.