Kimberly Gerald

ENG 111
March 26, 2015
Annotated Bibliography
Mrs. J
Kendra, Cherry. Theiories of Motivation. 2015. About.com. Web
Licht, Deborah, Hull, Misty, Ballantyne, Coco. Psychology. New York:Worth Publishers,2014. 383393. Print.
What is motivation? According to many sources, motivation is defined as the process that
initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It is what drives our actions. In the world of
psychology there are many theories explaining motivation. In this article by Kendra Cherry, she
explains the forces that lie beneath motivation to be either biological, social, emotional, or cognitive.
There are two types of motivation; extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic motivation is the drive to do and
continue a behavior because of external reinforces. Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is the drive
to continue a behavior because of yourself or internal gratification. For instance, a biological
motivation would be the act of drinking water to quench the bodies thirst. In Pay it Forward, Trevor had
social and emotional motivation. His motivation was intrinsic due to the fact that he didn't attempt good
deeds to get a reward or to be recognized. He did them because he felt the need to try and make the
world a better place.
Some psychologist feel that humans were born with a certain level of instinct. I think this ties
into the human need for discovery. This is explained more in the Instinct Theory. The first subjects
were animals. Through extensive observation, we learned that instincts are fixed, learned, and
consistent within a species. For example, how birds know where to perch on a power line without
being electrocuted. This theory had lots to do with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. This theory
suggested that, unlike animals, human instinct is more reflex than actually completing a task; like the
emotional fear in response to snakes and spiders. However, because not everyone is afraid of snakes
and spiders, these fears cannot be considered instincts because they are not universal. This is
contributed to evolutionary perspective. This body of research suggests that over time human behavior
has been influenced by evolutionary forces.
Another point that fits into human need to discover and for adventure is the arousal theory. As
humans, we seek an optimal level of arousal or alertness and engagement in the world. This can
come from excitement, anxiety, surprise or interest. A psychologist by the name of Zuckerman found
evidence that some people are sensation seekers. These people seek out things or activities that
increase arousal. They are more likely to choose skydiving and bungee jumping over hiking or walking
along the beach. There is also the drive-reduction theory that states humans and animals have a basic
physiological needs or requirements that must be maintained at some baseline or constant state to
ensure continued existence. This has to do with homeostasis of the body in order to survive. Hull
explained this theory as to maintain homeostasis one must fulfill basic biological needs such as food
and water. When these needs are not met, it creates a drive, or state of tension. That drive is what
motivates a behavior to meet that need: drinking water when we are thirsty. Trevor's mom's need to
drink sparked his motivation to help her fin someone that would love her and help curb her addiction.

His need to prove the world wasn't shit sparked his motivation to start the pay it forward movement.

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, he explained a continuum of needs that are universal
and ordered in terms of the strength of their associated drives. At the base of this hierarchy is physio
logical need for food and water. Next is safety need which includes more mental state. A steady job to
pay your bills and be able to buy food. Next is love and belonging. The need to not be alone or to feel a
sense of belonging to a certain group or society. Then,there is esteem needs. Being respected and
having self confidence: the feeling of independence. Then, self actualization, which is the motivation to
become more or be better than your current self. And last is self transcendence. This step is said to take
place nearing the end of ones life. The need to leave your imprint on the world through humanitarian
acts or selfless acts. The theory states that if at anytime one of these needs are not fulfilled, a person
must go back to that need, correct it and work their way back up. Meaning each need is in order and the
higher needs cannot be met if one of the lower needs falls short. This is not set in stone and is said that
only a couple are interchangeable. For example, going on a hunger strike or fasting for a religious
reason or higher cause.
I think the movie Pay it Forward displayed aspects of all of these theories. I also think the
human need for adventure and the need to discover is much deeper than just an act. Everything we do is
motivated by some need or feeling. Trevor's intrinsic motivation started a world wide movement. I
think his instinct put him in harms way and eventually led to his death. His mothers addiction put her
needs above his own.