THEORY OF MOTIVATION
By studying human behavior and its causes, many psychologists have formulated several theories of motivation, in which instinct theory of motivation is the most popular.
McDougall proposed his theory of human behaviour based on the assumption of inherited instinct, or tendency, to note stimuli and to respond to the situation or emotions. [1]
Instinct Theory of Motivation:
This theory was propounded by McDougall in 1908.
The oldest explanation of the question why a human behaves in a particular way in any particular situation is instinct.
The term ‘instinct’ was first used to explain human behavior by William James, but the credit for presenting it as a complete theory goes to McDougall.
According to him, there are certain innate tendencies in the human brain that act as the motivating force for all thoughts and actions.
Related: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
Psycho- Physical Disposition
This theory proposes that basic instincts work like springboards. McDougall defined basic instincts as innate psycho-physical disposition.
He presented a list of 14 instincts, each associated with a disposition or emotional experience. Human behavior is carried out through three aspects:
Cognition (Knowing)
Affection
Conation (Doing)
For example, going to class and seeing your friend’s birthday party makes you happy, and you also join the celebration.
On seeing a dangerous animal and experiencing fear, then running away to save oneself, results from these three steps.
According to McDougall, there are 14 basic instincts. Each basic instinct is connected to some or the other instincts.
Instincts:
1. The instinct of Flight – Fear
2. Anger – Combat
3. Repulsion – Disgust
4. Parental desire – Tenderness
5. Appeal – Sex
6. Distress – Sorrow
7. Curiosity – Wonder
8. Submission – Obedience
9. Assertion – Self-assertion
10. Self-feeling – Self-esteem
11. Gregariousness – Social connection
12. Food Seeking – Hunger
13. Acquisition – Ownership
14. Construction – Creation and Laughter
Criticism of Instinct Theory:
1. Behaviourists have opposed the ideology of considering all behaviour as instinctive, arguing that it oversimplifies human behaviour.
2. By 1924, approximately 14,000 basic tendencies were being discussed, which in itself became problematic due to the theory’s lack of specificity.
3. Despite these criticisms, McDougall’s Instinct Theory remains an important theory in explaining human behaviour today.
4. Psychologists also argued that the Instinct Theory of Motivation oversimplifies human emotions by condensing them into just 14 instincts, ignoring complex cognitive processes and emotions.
5. This theory also makes it challenging to design validity tests or experiments to verify its claims.
6. McDougall’s theory overlooks the crucial factors of individual differences and cultural variations.
7. Over 14,000 tendencies have been identified, rendering the theory increasingly difficult to test and validate.
8. The Instinct Theory of Motivation lacks sufficient evidence to support its claims, making it vague and unclear.
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