Psychology: Motivation

A detailed Summary of Psychology: Motivation

Do you ever wonder what drives a person to succeed? Why do some people succeed against all odds, while others fail when given all advantages possible? Everyone knows a story about someone who was beaten down, appeared to have given up, then out of the blue, picks themselves up, dusts themselves off and drives on. According to Webster's, a motive is an impulse, as in emotion, desire, or physiological need, acting as incitement to action. This action could range anywhere from earning a master's degree to getting out of the sun because it is hot. We as human beings need motivation to survive. Without it, we would be incapable of getting out of bed and acquiring sustenance. Motivation goes beyond our basic needs of survival: food, water, shelter ect, we actually plan ahead and set goals.

The need for attachment is one human need that goes beyond physiological needs. Human survival depends on the child's ability to form relationships with partners, family, friends, and colleagues. (Wade, Tavris 422) Human beings need some sort of attachment, a deep emotional tie, to someone or something. Friends, parents, and even a family pet can satisfy this need for attachment. Physical contact is an important factor in the need for

attachment. If a person is provided with the basic needs such as food, shelter, water, but is deprived of physical contact, this person often develops abnormally and have serious emotional problems.

Sex is a part of the need for attachment. Sex is the reason we as human beings continue to exist. Without sex, we would go extinct. On this premise you would think that sex would be second nature, not so. Sex in humans is not a natural act. (Leonone Tiefer 1995) We are actually taught or learn what to do sexually by society or our own experiences. There are many motives for sex. According to a study of six hundred college students and fifteen hundred older adults, there were six factors that psychologist found that where underlying reasons for people having sex. (Cooper, Shapiro, and Powers 1998) The six factors are: Enhancement - having sex for physical pleasure or emotional satisfaction, Intimacy - having sex for to feel emotionally close to a partner, Coping - having sex to cope with negative emotions and disappointments, Self Affirmation - having sex to be reassured of one's attractiveness or desirability, Partner Approval - having sex to please or appease one's partner, and Peer Approval- having sex to impress one's friends, be a part of this group and conform. People's motives for having sex actually affect aspects of their sexual behavior, including whether to have sex at all, whether they enjoy sex, whether they engage in sex, and determines how many partners they will have

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Approximate Word count = 1044
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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