Motivation Theories

“Characteristic adaptations are more specific and particular aspects of human individuality that are contextualized in time, place, or social role.” (Axia, p. 249. Para. 4). People generally act upon what it is they want or desire in life, this is when the person’s characteristic adaptations begin to emerge. How they emerge and to what affect, is believed differently from a variety of ways; the psychoanalytic view, the humanistic view, or the diversity view.

Psychoanalytic View

Freud states determinism, drive, conflict, and the unconscious play significant roles in a person’s characteristic adaptation (Axia College, p.250, para. 2). For some people to achieve success, they repress feelings in their unconscious as a way to cope with conflict. Freud believes in forces, not choices that determine the human behavior; over determinism, drive, conflict, and the unconscious. Three independent structures of the psychoanalytic view are the id, ego, and superego. These are defense mechanisms to achieve success as seen from the reality of the self.

The Humanistic View

Freud and Skinner are psychoanalytic thinkers, believing the person has little to no control over their circumstances, situations, or behaviors. However, Carl Roger is a humanistic; believing the person strives for the best in life and to become a fully functioning person. Choices need to be made before the person can truly become what he or she ultimately desires. Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) believes in “a greater hierarchy of needs, ranging from basic psychological needs up through the drive for self-actualization. (Axia, p. 268). These needs range from basic, food, clothing and shelter needs to intimate relationships, personal achievement, approval, and self-actualization.

The Diversity View

According to Axia College (2011), “The diversity view rejects the idea that human behavior and experience can be reduced to a small set of basic drives or needs.” The diversity view states common sense drives the individual motivation and goals for each person. Henry Murray (1938) believes people live in both the present and the past, anticipating for the future by remembering things from the past that will help the self expect what is to come next.

I believe in a process that involves all three views or theories. Each person goes through life stages and each view can be seen as a stage in a person’s life. While I agree with Freud’s statements about forces driving our unconscious self to success, I do not believe the id, ego, and superego are somehow connected sexually. Characteristics of specific genes are passed down in generations to the child. These characteristics of genetics can be changed or altered by the humanistic view. A person strives for the best in life, from the basic needs to the more public acceptance of who one becomes; this is self-actualization. Self-actualization is a process of the diversity view, that states common sense is the drive. I do not agree common sense drives one to become authentic or the best person they strive to become. I think it is more about realizing which characteristics one would rather sacrifice for the other; a choice of which motivation factors influence the change. Remembering the past can have a direct impact on behaviors of the present if one chooses to see the correlation. Once a person understands the connection from past to present, he or she can begin to make the changes he or she desires.

References

Axia College (2011). Filling in the Details: Character Adaptations. Motives and Goals: What Do We Want in Life? Retrieved April 8, 2011 from PSY230 website.