Theories of Motives

Homeostasior or Optimum Level Theory

The notion behind optimal level theory is that an individual is motivated to behave in such a way that he or she can sustain a pleasurable degree of arousal ( not too little or not too much ). If arousal is too low, a person will seek situations or stimuli that will increase it; if arousal is too high, behavior will be oriented toward decreasing it. For example, if an individual's arousal level falls too low, they may go out with friends or go hiking or trekking. If the amount becomes too high, individuals may seek alternative methods of relaxation or meditation.

Individuals are motivated to maintain optimal levels of arousal in order to be at ease in their surroundings and to be in harmony and balance with their bodies and brains. Individuals have different thresholds for optimal stimulation. For example, an adolescent from the city and one from the countryside. Someone who had a really hectic day at work with a lot going on may turn off his phone in the evening.

Individuals are motivated to maintain optimal levels of arousal in order to be at ease in their surroundings and to be in harmony and balance with their bodies and brains. Individuals have different thresholds for optimal stimulation. For example, an adolescent from the city and one from the countryside. Someone who had a really hectic day at work with a lot going on may turn off his phone in the evening.

Humanistic Theory

Humanistic theory emphasizes on the unique qualities of each individuals vision of the self in the various life settings.

• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Human beings have desires and wants that influence their behavior. Because there are so many needs, they might be classified as lower or greater needs. The person moves to the next level of demands only once the lower needs on his/her list are partially satisfied. A need that has been met no longer exists. In this sense, a person's motivated behavior is always dominated by unsatisfied desires or needs. As time goes on, a person will demonstrate the fulfillment of his or her unique potential, which is known as self-actualization. This is the central theme of Abraham Maslow's humanistic theory.

Abraham Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs, which is represented by a pyramid and shows the order in which an individual satisfied his or her biological and social needs. The pyramid is made up of five tiers of needs.

• Physiological needs (layer 1)
  There is a need for food, water, sex, sleep, and so on. People who are homeless or unemployed are concerned with meeting their physiological necessities. Before moving on to layer 2, we must first meet the basic needs. A hungry person, for example, cannot consider the welfare of society.

• Safety needs (layer2)
  These include the need for shelter, safe and secure environment, protection from injury etc. E.g. wearing a seat belt while driving, organizing a police force. After finding a way to live in a safe and secure environment we advance to layer 3.

• Love and belongingness (layer3)
  These include the want for affection, the desire to love and be loved, as well as the desire for connection and acceptance by others. For example, creating a friendship, getting married, joining a club, and so on. Layer 4 is reached once we find love and affection.

• Self-esteem needs (layer 4)
  These include the desire for accomplishment, competency, approbation, and recognition. For example, pursuing a higher level within an organization or pursuing a coveted prize or degree. As we improve our abilities and obtain recognition, we shift our focus to layer 5.

• Self-actualization needs (layer5)
  The desire to maximize one's talent and potential is referred to as the need for self-actualization. It is a higher need, according to Maslow.

Humanistic Theory by Carl Rogers

Carl Rogers, an American psychologist, assumed that humans are innately good and effective (by birth), and that they have an innate proclivity for self-actualization. In terms of developing self-concept, he believes that each individual functions from a unique frame of reference. When a person's sense of who they are (actual self) and who they feel they should be (ideal self) is incongruent, it can be highly unsettling. Because we require self-concept derived from a nation of unconditional favorable regard and conditional positive regard. Unconditional regard happens when an individual expresses unconditional love. Conditional positive regard occurs when something appears to only be positive when certain circumstances are met. Rogers believed that unconditional positive regard would be a better substitute to loving. Rogers thought to give unconditional positive regard would be better alternative loving the child regardless of behaviour which allows the child to explore all potential. Since, he viewed people as it essentially good, the outcome is the development of fully functioning person.

Psychoanalytic Theory or Theory of Unconscious Motivation ( Sigmund Freud)

Freud's psychoanalytic theory is based on a dynamic approach in which psychic energy is transformed into individual behavior. The psychic energy is thought to be generated by two main sources.

• Eros ( life instincts) which motivate the individual to seek food and water etc.
• Thanatos ( death instincts) which every person has an unconscious wish to die.

According to Freud, people are motivated by unconscious, animalistic urges such as Eros and Thanatos. Humans need pleasure, yet society limits the types of pleasure seeking. As a result, many desires, motivations, and conflicts are submerged beneath the level of consciousness. Freud proposed three levels of consciousness or awareness using an iceberg metaphor.

• Conscious: At the conscious level we are aware of certain things around us and of certain thoughts.
• Pre-conscious or subconscious: At the pre-conscious level are the memories or thoughts that are easily available with a moment's reflection.
• Unconscious: Unconscious contains memories, thoughts and motives which cannot call up

Freud believed that if information was too unpleasant for the aware part of the mind to endure, defense mechanisms would kick in and drive it down into the unconscious part of the mind. And the unconscious mind is the repository for all unsettling, banned, or unacceptable ideas, memories, sentiments, and impulses, but the unconscious is dynamic, and psychic energy must go somewhere. As a result, all of our influences influence behavior and leak into the subconscious via dreams, slips of the tongue, or writings.