Human motivation Essay

SCENARIO: The scenario developed for the purpose of this paper is that a person has gone through the bitter experience of losing a loved one. In this case, the other person moved away and long distance relationship was not possible due to inevitable circumstances. Now the person who has been left behind has to recover from the sorrow of their loved one moving away, conclusion of a relationship that was a couple of years old, as well as move on with his/her own life. He/she has support from family and friends; however, they prefer to be on their own for now to recover from the close attachment that was developed over the course of two years. Moving away of a loved one has left a gap in the life of the subject. For a while, they were low on self esteem considering the move as his/her own fault. To recover from this depressive state they need to motivated and lured back to life and routine. COMPONENTS OF MOTIVATION: In the given scenario the biological component would be an individual’s need to mate with a partner. While momentarily, the subject is associating this need with their loved one, however, once they are able to move then situation shall be different. The learned component is that the subject now realizes that they have been loved and experienced that emotion. In future, while establishing bonds and relationships, duplicating that emotion can be one important motivational factor or component. Finally, the cognitive component in this case is that subject is to realize that moving on is must. They have given their best to the relationship and that is all they could do. Their self-esteem suffered and getting it back is important motivational component. APPLICATION OF THEORIES: Now, viewing the scenario in light of the motivational theories and possible ways to motivate the subject to move on and get back to life. 1. Instinct theories: Instinct theory in this case points out to the elementary aspect of human relationships. That is, a person’s need to find a mate. The subject is going through a low period. However, this is expected to end as soon as they realize that they need to fill the void in their life with someone special and are willing to give anyone else a chance. This instinctive need to mate is a great motivator in itself (AllPsych, 2003). 2. Personality theories: Personality theories of motivation describe each personality and person on different dimensions. While their focus is on finding similar traits in personalities of different people, categorizing an individual makes it simpler for psychologist to approach the subjects (Boeree, 2007). In this case, the subject can be analyzed on their personality traits such as if they are optimist or pessimist, free will or determinist, has had early or late personality development etc. Once that is determined, it will be easier to understand that what motivates the individual, what amount of effort does their personality require to overcome a trauma and so on. 3. Drive/learning theories: Drive theory is also somewhat similar to the instinct theories. These theories propose that each person is driven towards a certain kind of behavior due to internal biological demand. Their actions are to reduce that drive. In this case it is applicable such that a healthy individual has to fulfill their sexual needs. Reduction of this drive is again a motivator or an incentive for the person to move on with their life (AllPsych, 2003). 4. Growth and mastery motivation theories: The growth and goal mastery theories of motivation suggest that after a person has had an unpleasant experience, they learn from that and make a conscious effort as to not to repeat the behavior in future (East Lothian Council, n.d). In this case it would be that perhaps the subject might be hesitant to commit or fully give himself to a relationship unless they have over came insecurity. It motivates them to carefully choose who they want to be with 5. Humanistic theories: Most applied Humanistic theory; Maslow’s Need Hierarchy is a good example of application of humanistic approach. The subject in this scenario will be at the level of ‘Love and Belonging Needs’. Unless needs of that level are not fulfilled, he wont be able to reach a higher level of self esteem. The subject needs help and support of family and friends or perhaps even a therapist to realize that they need to move on and let themselves go in order to move further over pyramid. Not dwelling on past is the key here (AllPsych, 2003). 6. Cognitive theories: Cognitive theories purpose that an individual’s behavior is dependant on not just their personality and needs but also on dynamic environment that they live in, the external factors acting upon them and so on (Psychological Solutions, n. d). If the subject is able to evaluate and understand the present situation from this view point, they shall come to realize that there is little role for them to play and the dynamics of the environment were unfavorable. However, if they are seeking professional help then a therapist should be able to point out that this might not be true for each experience in their life and motivate them to move on. BIBLIOGRAPHY AllPsych. (2003). Motivation In Psychology. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from: http://allpsych. com/psychology101/motivation. html East Lothian Council.(n. d). Goal Theory Of Motivation. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from: http://www. exc-el. org. uk/content/index. php/main/teaching_and_learning/everything_you_wanted_to_know_about_teaching_and_learning_but_were_afraid_to_ask/motivation/motivational_theories/goal_orientation_theory Boeree, G. (2006). Personality Theories. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from: http://webspace. ship. edu/cgboer/persintro. html Psychological Solution. (n. d). Cognitive Theories of Motivation. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from: http://www. psychsol. com/html/word_docs/Motiv%202%20-%20ohp. doc.