Acquired Motives
Acquired Motives In Psychology
Acquired motives are shaped through experience, and as a result are unique to an individual.
Acquired motives are also called social motives, because they affect how we interact with other people.
In this article, we shall look at several of these acquired motives:
• The need for achievement
• The need for autonomy
• The need for order
• The need for affiliation
• The need for dominance
• The need for exhibition
• The need for aggression
The Need For Achievement
The need for achievement is a motive to reach the goals you set for yourself in life.
People who have a high need for achievement are likely to be ambitious, and do whatever it takes to reach the top.
People who have a low need for achievement are likely not to set goals for themselves, or if they do, they will be fairly un-ambitious goals. They are also likely to be content with their lives, and not expect too much from it.
The Need For Autonomy
The need for autonomy is the need to do what you want without interference from others.
A person with a high need for autonomy is likely to be self reliant, do their own things in life and lead other people.
A person with a low need for autonomy is often dependant on others, follows other people and feels as though they have little control over their life.
The Need For Order
This motive determines whether you like to have things organised in your life.
A person with a high need for order is likely to keep important documents organised and their workspace and home tidy.
A person with a low need for order does not keep track of important information, and often lives in a messy environment.
The Need For Affiliation
The need for affiliation is a motive to be with other people.
A person with a high need for affiliation is likely to have lots of friends and be an outgoing person.
A person with a low need for affiliation usually does not have many friends, and likes to be alone for most of the time.
The Need For Dominance
This is a motive to dominate other people by controlling their behaviour.
A person with a high need for dominance is likely to be aggressive and argumentative. This type of person is usually found in positions of authority.
A person with a low need for dominance is likely to be overly agreeable, and tries too hard to please other people. They are usually also very submissive.
The Need For Exhibition
The need for exhibition is a motive to be noticed by others.
People with a high need for exhibition are likely to speak loudly, dress differently or behave unusually in an attempt to gain attention from other people.
A person with a low need for exhibition is likely to talk and behave in a way that does not draw attention to them.
The Need For Aggression
The need for aggression is a motive to argue with other people or hurt them in some way.
People with a high need for aggression are likely to start arguments, be physically violent and become spiteful or resentful towards others.
People with a low need for aggression prefer to try and keep the peace, and find a solution with which everyone is happy with.
Unconscious Motives
Sigmund Freud believed that many of our motives are unconscious, and operate outside of our conscious control (the ego).
These unconscious motives form when certain information or experiences pose a threat to our ego, and becomes repressed in our unconscious mind.
This may explain the phenomenon known as self sabotage, where people unknowingly prevent themselves from experiencing certain levels of success or happiness, or destroy it when they do.
Forbidden Desires & Urges
From Freud’s perspective there are two kinds of motives which tend to get repressed: forbidden sexual desires and forbidden aggressive urges.
The word forbidden refers to things you would like to do, but you know that you shouldn’t because that behaviour is considered to be socially unacceptable.
For example, if a person wanted to have sex with a relative then this would be classified as a forbidden sexual desire.
Or if a person dislikes their boss and wants to punch them in the face but restrains themselves from doing so, then this would be classified as a forbidden aggressive urge.
Reaction Formation
In order to protect ourselves from acting out these forbidden desires and urges, Freud believed that we form a self defence mechanism which he referred to as a reaction formation.
So for example, if a person wants to have sex with a relative they may try to keep their distance from that person by deliberately being nasty to them. Often this will leave the other person confused as to why they are being treated in such a way.
This reaction formation then helps to reinforce the repression of their forbidden sexual desire, by driving it further into the unconscious.
Acting Out Repressed Desires & Urges
Freud also believed that in some cases repressed desires and urges can “act out” and overcome the defence mechanism of repression.
For example, if a person becomes drunk they may act out their previously repressed sexual desires.
Summary
• Acquired motives are shaped through experience, and affect how we interact with other people.
• The need for achievement is a motive to accomplish goals you set for yourself in life.
• The need for autonomy is a motive to do your own thing in your own way.
• The need for order is a motive to live an organised life.
• The need for affiliation is a motive to be with other people.
• The need for dominance is a motive to control another’s behaviour.
• The need for exhibition is a motive to get noticed by others.
• Some motives may be stored in the unconscious mind, and cause us to sabotage our life.
• Forbidden desires and urges are things that you would like to do, but you know you shouldn’t.
• A reaction formation is a self defence mechanism used to further repress forbidden desires and urges.
• Acting out occurs when our unconscious repression mechanism breaks down, and we act out on our repressed desires or urges.
