The Power of Motivation: Crash Course Psychology #17

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Published 2014-06-02

Feeling motivated? Even if you are, do you know why? The story of Aaron Ralston can tell us a lot about motivation. In this episode of Crash Course Psychology, Hank tells us Ralston's story, as well as 4 theories of motivation and some evolutionary perspectives on motivation.

Want more videos about psychology? Check out our sister channel SciShow Psych at youtube.com/scishowpsych!

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Chapters:
Introduction: Motivation 00:00
What is Motivation? 1:08
Evolutionary Perspective: Instincts 1:29
Drive-Reduction Theory: Homeostasis & Incentives 2:37
Optimal Arousal 3:39
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs 4:49
How Sex Motivates Us 5:29
How Hunger Motivates Us 6:32
Effects of Hunger & Starvation 7:59
How Social Belonging Motivates Us 9:33
Review & Credits 10:34
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All Comments (21)

@keegan9935 9 years ago

Irony: when you watch a video about motivation because you're feeling unmotivated to study for finals.
@cabehijo129 8 years ago

Thumbs up if this guy has helped you in your test on more than one occasion
@EllaReneeL 8 years ago

motivation = something i have none of right now
@CoryRPowers 5 years ago

New favorite quote when I'm with someone and hungry. "My need is food. My drive is hunger. My drive reduction behavior is burrito."
@_tay.tay23_75 3 years ago

" Others may be satiated by an engaging book or a new knitting pattern" * stops mid knitting stitch * How did you...
@ThatRandomBlackGuy 7 years ago

my motivation to watch this video was to finish my homework to get a passing grade xD last-minute i might add
@srushtipatil6739 8 years ago

most of the times i eat because i m bored
@NikolajLepka 9 years ago

gotta love the "pizza is a vegetable" joke
@shobanana1 8 years ago

How does he keep talking without even a breath in between? omg, I think he has no need for a very basic need, air!!
@zaraaha.3119 7 years ago

At 3:50 when you were explaining the definition of optimum arousal, you labeled it as drive reduction theory. In the end this was a great video :) It REALLY HELPED ME STUDY
@ZoggFromBetelgeuse 9 years ago

Sex, hunger, the need to belong... okay, but aren't you forgetting the most basic need of modern Earthlings: The need for Wifi?
@ThatGuyYouArent2 9 years ago

This video just made me realise why my academic performance dropped in my final year of university. Paradoxically, this knowledge is both devastating and relieving.
@SyrupSplash 8 years ago

My optimal arousal is watching Crash Course Psychology
@Axolotine 9 years ago

Was going to watch this video but meh... I don't feel motivated enough.
@deadpoolregeneratedegenera1683 5 years ago

He says air is essential. If true, why does he never stop to take a breath? Impressive.
@electrolyteblend 7 years ago

8:45 I love that they put pizza as the vegetable
@EmperorOfCookies 9 years ago

This was absolutely great! I think learned more in 11minutes than in one hour of school :)
@avivafeldman1513 9 years ago

There is a typo at 3:51. It should say Optimal Arousal, not Drive-Reduction Theory. CrashCourse
@Noneyasauce 5 years ago

Don't mind me, just here trying to make sense of this stuff to pass a test haha! Thanks for helping. I have a 90% in the class so far. I watch these over and over. Super helpful!
@CC-er3lt 9 years ago

YES! Power of Motivation! It can bring the inner ''monsters'' inside of us! Thanks, Hank I love watching CrashCourse! I've learned sooooo much!