Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101678

Coordinator Martin Daly Opens in new window

Description The study of motivation and emotion explores the reasons behind people's behaviours, thoughts, and feelings. This unit examines core research and theory on motivational and emotional systems, exploring how these systems function in general and how that functioning varies due to gender, culture, and other sources of difference. Concepts of motivation and emotion are central to understanding human psychology. The unit positions the topic in relation to other areas of psychological theory (such as learning theory, social psychology, personality, and cognition), investigates its role in psychological practice, and addresses its impact upon practical and philosophical debates within the discipline. Students are encouraged to explore and reflect upon the role of motivational systems in their own lives.

School Psychology

Discipline Psychology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) BEHV 1016 AND
BEHV 1018

Restrictions

Note that only students enrolled at WSU Online may register in the WSU Online subjects offered at that location.

Assumed Knowledge

Basic understanding of core concepts of personality, learning theory, biological, social and developmental psychology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify and explain the major concepts and key research findings in the study of motivation and emotion.
2. Evaluate psychological phenomena using motivational concepts and theories.
3. Differentiate biological and environmental factors behind individual variation in motivational functioning, including the roles of gender and culture.
4. Critique assumptions and perspectives on the role of motivation and emotion theory in controversial psychological debates.
5. Distinguish scientific evidence over opinion to explain and analyse human behaviour.
6. Reflect upon factors impacting one's own motivation, including the role of gender and cultural background.

Subject Content

1. Motivational systems:
- Reflexes
- Instincts
- Sensory sensations
- Drives
- Arousal mechanisms
- Basic emotions
- Social emotions
2. Sources of relevance judgement
- Evolutionary theory
- Learning
- Cognition
- Decision making
3. Motivation and core psychological debates
- The innate vs. acquired (nature/nurture) debate
- The free-will vs. determinism debate
4. Application to practice:
- Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis
- Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Reflections on culture and gender