#AP Psychology: Motivation - Your Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future AP Psych pro! This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for all things motivation, especially as you're gearing up for the big exam. Let's dive in and make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace it! 💪

#What is Motivation?

Motivation is the force that drives our behaviors. Think of it as the "why" behind everything we do. Whether it's studying for this exam 💯 or grabbing a snack, motivation is at play. It's not just about big goals; it's woven into our everyday actions.

#Key Motivational Concepts

Instincts: These are our innate, unconscious behaviors. They just feel right. It's like a reflex, but for more complex actions.
Incentives: These are the external factors that pull us toward or push us away from certain behaviors. They can be positive (rewards) or negative (punishments).🚶
Intrinsic Motivation: Doing something for the pure joy of it! Like reading a book because you love to read ❤️📖. It's all about internal satisfaction.
Extrinsic Motivation: Doing something for an external reward or to avoid punishment. Like reading a book to complete a summer assignment ✔️📖. External factors drive this type of motivation.

Key Concept

Intrinsic motivation is generally stronger and more sustainable than extrinsic motivation.

* **Overjustification Effect:** This is when an external reward decreases intrinsic motivation. Like switching from learning French for fun to learning it for a job 💰. The external reward can diminish your internal drive. * **Achievement Motivation:** The desire to master complex tasks and reach personal goals. It's about pushing yourself to do great things, even without external rewards. 💪 * **Self-Efficacy:** * **High Self-Efficacy:** Believing you can succeed. This goes hand-in-hand with high intrinsic motivation and a willingness to take on challenges. * **Low Self-Efficacy:** Doubting your ability to succeed. This often leads to low intrinsic motivation, avoidance of challenges, and giving up easily.

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#Image Courtesy of Sites at Penn State.

Memory Aid

Think of it this way: Intrinsic motivation is like doing something because you love it, while extrinsic motivation is like doing something for a prize. Overjustification can ruin the fun of intrinsic motivation by adding too many external rewards. Self-efficacy is your belief in your ability to succeed, which can make all the difference!

#Theories of Motivation

Let's explore the main theories that explain why we do what we do. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so pay attention to the nuances!

#Instinct Theory (Evolutionary)

Core Idea: Behaviors are driven by our instincts, which are innate and help us survive. This theory is rooted in Charles Darwin's natural selection.
Focus: Survival and adaptation. We are motivated to do things that ensure we live long enough to pass on our genes. 💕

Example	Strength of Theory 👍	Weakness of Theory 👎
All babies display innate reflexes like rooting and sucking	Explains similarities due to our ancestral past.	Better at explaining animal behaviors than complex human behaviors.

#Drive-Reduction Theory (Biological)

Core Idea: We are motivated to reduce internal tension caused by unmet need...

Theories of Motivation

Lily Scott