Motivation theories

Motivation Theories

Here are academic theories about motivation.

Acquired Needs Theory: we seek power, achievement or affiliation.

Activation Theory: We have a need for arousal.

Affect Perseverance: Preference persists after disconfirmation.

Attitude-Behavior Consistency: factors that align attitude and behavior.

Attribution Theory: we need to attribute cause, that supports our ego.

Cognitive Dissonance: non-alignment is uncomfortable.

Cognitive Evalution Theory: we select tasks based on how doable they are.

Consistency Theory: we seek the comfort of internal alignment.

Control Theory: we seek to control the world around us.

Disconfirmation bias: Agreeing with what supports beliefs and vice versa.

Drive Theory: We seek to satisfy needs.

Endowed Progress Effect: Progress is motivating.

ERG Theory: We seek to fulfill needs of existence, relatedness and growth.

Escape Theory: We seek to escape uncomfortable realities.

Expectancy Theory: We are motivated by desirable things we expect we can achieve.

Extrinsic Motivation: external: tangible rewards.

Goal-Setting Theory: different types of goals motivate us differently.

Intrinsic Motivation: internal: value-based rewards.

Investment Model: our commitment depends on what we have invested.

Opponent-Process Theory: opposite emotions interact.

Placebo Effect: We believe and respond to fakes.

Positive Psychology: What makes us happy.

Reactance Theory: discomfort when freedom is threatened.

Self-Determination Theory: External and internal motivation.

Self-Discrepancy Theory: we need beliefs to be consistent.

Side Bet Theory: aligned side-bets increase commitment to a main bet.

Motivation Theories