PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH TO MOTIVATION

Motivation is one of the main domains of modern dynamic psychology. The main problem with motivation is that it is an abstract concept and is not directly visible. To explain behavioral changes that are observable we must, according to dynamic psychology, make inferences about the underlying psychological variables that influence these changes. These inferences about an individual's intentions, goals, needs, and purposes are formalized in the concept of motivation.

There are various theories on motivation, ranging from instinct theory to drive theory and sexual motivation. From the great spectrum of theories that account for motivation we will discuss paradigmatically only one: the humanistic theory of growth motivation of Abraham Maslow (1970) because of its wide acceptance among psychologists. He contrasted deficiency motivation, in which individuals seek to restore physical or psychological equilibrium, to growth motivation, in which individuals seek mainly to realize their fullest potential. Maslow constructed a needs hierarchy that consists of the different types of human needs as well as their order of importance. In a bottom-to-top hierarchy Maslow differentiates between biological needs (i.e., for water, oxygen, etc.), safety needs (i.e., for comfort, security, etc.), attachment needs (i.e., to belong, to love, to be loved), esteem needs (i.e., for confidence, respect of others, etc.), cognitive needs (i.e., for knowledge, understanding, etc.), esthetic needs (i.e., for order and beauty), self-actualization needs (i.e., to fulfill one's potential and to have meaningful goals) and transcendence needs (i.e. spiritual needs for cosmic identification).