In the 2nd unit, we learned all about motivation and how we can be driven towards success. Many people like myself are driven by a need for achievement, which means that many things motivate me to be the best that I can possibly be whether it is by grades, reputation, or interests. Other people are driven by incentives and the different gains or pros that they can identify if they are able to reach a certain goal. There are also different types of motivation with which we develop a desire for achievement. Firstly, there is achievement motivation, where people are inspired simply by the idea of achieving their goals. For example, the valedictorian of their high school class may work really hard in school simply because they want to become the valedictorian. They put all of that work and all of those hours into studying simply to have something credible to put on their college resume. On the opposite side of the spectrum, there is avoidance achievement, which is where people are driven so that they don’t fail. If someone has parents that are always ragging on them about keeping their grades up, someone may work harder in school just to avoid those annoying conversations with their parents. Another type of motivation is called extrinsic motivation, which is where people are motivated by external rewards like a sucker or a pat on the back. Lots of people who struggle to support themselves in the real world experience extrinsic motivation when searching for a job because they know how much they need money for support. Other people are motivated by intrinsic goals, where a person’s drive goes much deeper than the tangible things that they are able to gain from it. People who experience intrinsic motivation may simply be searching for a stronger sense of identity or confidence. They are motivated by that feeling of relief and happiness when they finally achieve a goal of theirs.
While learning about motivation, I also discovered that there is this thing called cognitive dissonance, where people conflict in their knowledge and in their actions. For example, everyone knows that smoking is a dangerous thing to take part in. However, some people use cognitive dissonance when they continue to smoke, regardless of the countless health warnings. Cognitive dissonance keeps people from making the smartest choices for themselves when their wants drown out the warning signs. This tendency was also developed into the cognitive dissonance theory. This is where people try to justify their behavior in order to rationalize with themselves to feel as if they truly are making the right decision. Cognitive dissonance is a way for people to procrastinate from improving their life, so it is very wise to always be aware of any self-justifications or avoidance methods they may be taking part in.
While learning about motivation, I also discovered that there is this thing called cognitive dissonance, where people conflict in their knowledge and in their actions. For example, everyone knows that smoking is a dangerous thing to take part in. However, some people use cognitive dissonance when they continue to smoke, regardless of the countless health warnings. Cognitive dissonance keeps people from making the smartest choices for themselves when their wants drown out the warning signs. This tendency was also developed into the cognitive dissonance theory. This is where people try to justify their behavior in order to rationalize with themselves to feel as if they truly are making the right decision. Cognitive dissonance is a way for people to procrastinate from improving their life, so it is very wise to always be aware of any self-justifications or avoidance methods they may be taking part in.
These different types of motivation can be related to many different people. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a psychologist invented a pyramid that demonstrates each stage of achievement. In the pyramid that he creates, the base of motivation comes from basic needs, then the feeling of belonging, then self-esteem, then self-actualization. These goals are extremely relatable to many people, but this list can also be changed and personalized for yourself. When I recreated my own hierarchy of needs, I began with my basic needs, then my cognitive needs, then intrinsic motvation, then the need for belonging, then the need for community, and finally self-actualization. While it is very similar to Maslow’s pyramid, my own hierarchy was created after a long period of time where I meditated about the things that I am motivated by in life.
All in all, people are able to find motivation in many different ways by many different things. This unit forced me to be extremely honest with myself about the things that really drive me. This unit, I started to realize how much I am driven by community, impressions, and relationships. As much as I am very functional as an independent being, I discovered how much I do need other people in my life when creating my own hierarchy of needs. After identifying the things that drive me in life, I was able to decide which things I need to embrace more and which things I need to rely on a little bit less. I’m often motivated by what other people think of me, but now I really think that I’m just fighting to find the good in myself. I think I’ve really been trying to change the things that drive me. I want to succeed for no one but myself and I really need to focus on embracing who I am.