The Power of Motivation: Crash Course Psychology #17

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 / 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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[@keegan9935]

Irony: when you watch a video about motivation because you're feeling unmotivated to study for finals.

[@CoryRPowers]

New favorite quote when I'm with someone and hungry. "My need is food. My drive is hunger. My drive reduction behavior is burrito."

[@cabehijo129]

Thumbs up if this guy has helped you in your test on more than one occasion

[@EllaReneeL]

motivation = something i have none of right now

[@alicareem]

Ella Renee it's fake you are more than that.

[@InvalidPersistentName]

You can do it !!!

[@chrismarklowitz1001]

When lacking motivation I find it always helpful to,evaluate your behavior. I can say deffinitevely that our thinking determines our actions. Why we eat, sleep, talk, brush our teeth it is all determined by conscious, unconscious, thoughts or feelings that we get in our brains driving our behavior. And Although we are the ones thinking, the problem comes when it is flawed. Flawed, meaning, prejudiced, quick to assume, forgetftul, fallacious,etc.All together wrong(see the foundation for critical thinking) In light of a lack of motivation determined by this flawed thinking in the driver seat, It would lead one to assume that you must, NOT NECESSARILY CHANGE IT, but examine and criticize it. Think,of why you feel or,think a certain way. You can only know anything in relation to,something else. Trace it, evaluate the root cause, change it and repeat. For example, I often feel a lack of motivation as well. And so what I will ask myself is why? Why do I come home and lay on the couch, why do, I waste so much priceless time? And I begin to examine my patterns of behavior.,such that my brain assumes something is right because it is a habit, I will ask series of questions to understand my behavior fully without fail. What about laziness is wrong? What about productiveness,is,good? Where does laziness,come,from? How,does experience play into my conclusions, more importantly is this decision making flawed?

[@jayash2957]

Chris Marklowitz deep

[@Bebolife12345]

Chris Marklowitz deep

[@_tay.tay23_75]

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

[@ThatRandomBlackGuy]

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

[@rkdash4226]

Great.

[@katywright8161]

Lol...mine is to read 133 pages of this horribly boring book "Ragtime" for my Intro to Interdisciplinary Studies class. Wish me luck!

[@Cherryb0nb0ns]

same...........

[@sadeemaiye1189]

Same...

[@nourhijazi8833]

Facts me rn

[@srushtipatil6739]

most of the times i eat because i m bored

[@WOLFMAN305]

Fatass lol

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

i only eat when im happy which is rare so i am very skinny and sleep deprived.

[@srushtipatil6739]

That's sad, just look at it this way- you are sad, so food will make you happy! So eat more and be happy!

[@srushtipatil6739]

***** ikr! that would be great.

[@veganlifechange]

When bored, LEARN :D

[@NikolajLepka]

gotta love the "pizza is a vegetable" joke

[@sebyiuga2184]

where was this?

[@NikolajLepka]

Seby iuga 8:40 when he starts to list all the foods, the upper left square says "vegetables" and shows a pizza

[@stayniftyGuyFaceMannPersonDude]

"Livin' in America!"

[@TheInternetIsDeadToMe]

I was just wondering about that. Love American food groups.

[@alcardm]

I knew I'm eating healthy

[@shobanana1]

How does he keep talking without even a breath in between? omg, I think he has no need for a very basic need, air!!

[@liamsmith331]

+shobs iyer jump cuts lol, they edit it so it flows better and faster

[@shobanana1]

Liam Smith oh cool thanks! That makes so much sense

[@liamsmith331]

Well and it is also scripted. And presumably they'll do another take if he messes up.

[@ShubhamVerlekar]

+Shobana Iyer I don't think so, even if you see vlog brothers it's same and vlog brothers isn't so scripted.

[@shobanana1]

Connor Verlekar lol whatever it is, its a talent

[@ZoggFromBetelgeuse]

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

[@pisser98]

some things are taken granted to an extent, where they dont even have to be mentionned.

[@ericvilas]

Funny you should mention that: why do you need Wifi? To connect to your online community. The need for wifi is part of your need to belong. Also of being entertained/stimulated.

[@ericvilas]

***** nope, pretty sure it's "need" :P

[@yourface747]

***** "To connect to your online community." porn?

[@ericvilas]

Toasted Lego "also of being entertained/stimulated" - stimulated can have many meanings.

[@deadpoolregeneratedegenera1683]

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

[@Axolotine]

Was going to watch this video but meh... I don't feel motivated enough.

[@NextGenHero]

Almost died of laughter XD.....

[@MrBunneh43]

You would if there were boobies in the thumbnail though, yes? Sexual motivation.

[@TheRamprage5]

hey bro :D

[@JoaoPessoa86]

Luke Ditton or giraffe sex

[@tevo_za]

It requires ALOT of motivation to drag that cursor ALL the way to the thumbnail, Not even mentioning the click.

[@zaraaha.3119]

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

[@ThatGuyYouArent2]

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.

[@electrolyteblend]

8:45 I love that they put pizza as the vegetable

[@EmperorOfCookies]

This was absolutely great! I think learned more in 11minutes than in one hour of school :)

[@SyrupSplash]

My optimal arousal is watching Crash Course Psychology

[@georgieswan1377]

same

[@potatertots2060]

kinky

[@crashcourse]

The Power of Motivation: Crash Course Psychology #17

[@clintonturner284]

To Crash Course, Although very right in explaining the different theories and to acknowledge the fact that they all are 'theories', when describing that 'sex' isn't a psychological need would be incorrect (in my opinion). Although one doesn't die as such without sex, our race would definitely die without it (excluding IVF etc). Surely their would be some psychological programming deep within our design to continue on our race? Open for debate???

[@chrisblairt]

@Clinton, I went back in the video and confirmed that he said sex was "not a need" and didn't specify what kind. If we're generous, we can assume he meant it wasn't an individual's physiological need. You're right of course that without it, many bad things happen, including but not limited to the extinction of the species and an awful lot of people sporting a very bad case of blue balls.

[@TECHNORULEZ1]

Hank can you and your team start making Crash Course:Physics if you have time and resources,it would be very useful and pragmatical,especially for me and all guys that are in puberty right now?

[@Psy0psAgent]

TECHNORULEZ1 Oh. I do so agree!

[@KellanDuan]

Psy0psAgent Me too, Right now we middle schoolers don't really learn phychology, and biology anymore, just physics

[@Noneyasauce]

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]

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

[@erikslapins9227]

It would have been kind of funny if Freud slowly appeared and disappeared from the edge of the video player when Hank said that one of the main motivators is sex.

[@avivafeldman1513]

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

[@juanjuri6127]

it's funny how one brother ends up with a comments section full of jokes and people actually commenting on the video subject and the other gets an endless parade of rants and flame wars about which country, race or religion is more subhuman than the other

[@dimentio1030]

+Esta Fortaleza True. I love CC World History, it got me through all of AP World, but the comments there are just so toxic. People suck; that's the lesson for today.

[@mohitgandhi6367]

+Esta Fortaleza right!

[@algammond]

I think the 'need to belong' plays a very large part in internet and video game addiction.

[@jayasuryangoral-maanyan3901]

Most addiction comes from loneliness

[@slippinkimmy238]

that "okay? okay." thing @ 8:48 tho lmao

[@attackofzb]

From a social psychologist who studies motivation: drive-reduction and Maslow's hierarchy are particularly antiquated theories. I cannot say that I know of anyone in my field who admits to letting these theories strongly inform upon their work. One theory of motivation that does have incredibly far-reaching influence is Self-Determination Theory. If you want to gain a true understanding of motivation, take a look at SDT.

[@jayasuryangoral-maanyan3901]

Is SDT a theory?

[@Twinklesloveskylie]

I love this channel. Thank you for having such great content.

[@Blindblondephd]

I wish you guys could tackle more of the recent psych work in motivation...I think this episode stops around 1970 in research developments. There's been a lot of work in motivation & goal research from the 1980's onward, and it is a huge area of research today. But I know you only have so much time to cover this topic, so it was a good primer.

[@radximena3578]

Who is watching this at 4 am, trying to retain all the information for their AP Psychology Final that’s in a few hours? Because same.

[@omarabdelaty634]

he is really fun and he makes psychology fun I do appreciate it. My psychology instructor keeps referring us to these videos in her slides Big Thumbs up

[@emmakone4271]

while revising for my next class was totaly caught up in the flawless explanation of this man. i really do like his explanation it unexpatedly makes it easier to undesstand

[@StevanLombard]

I hate being human, more or less the videos have tough me so much but every passing second watching it just reminds me of how utterly wonderful and complex our failures as a collective can be. Love the series though and I would love to see more.

[@heliomoonwave]

This is awesome. Such thorough analysis of an elusive topic. I applaud!

[@markidstrom5287]

Love these videos. I'm learning so much without even leaving my house, which is nice because you can't eat a taco in the lecture hall.

[@jbasom3643]

I like that you review what you went over in the episode and have links to go back to them.

[@emilywinters7755]

These videos are matching with the curriculum of my intro psych course and it's very convenient. Thanks, Hank!!

[@RoccoDiTella]

Please make Crash Course Philosophy!

[@ladymalora]

I was a practicing anorexic for 32 years. During that time I hardly ever thought about food and learned how to ignore whatever hunger I had. I also hated most forms of social interaction. For the past 4 years, I've managed to maintain a healthy weight. I eat around twice a day, instead of twice a week. However, I still hate most forms of social interaction, so hunger and social avoidance aren't necessarily related... although it probably does mean that I have more problems than I thought... ;)

[@mohammeddashmil]

At 2:50, with regards to drive theory, He says psychological need instead of physiological need.

[@mothman84]

I'm motivated to comment that this is an excellent lecture. Once again, thank you for sharing. :)

[@moscanaveia]

6:02 I call it scoodilypooping. I won't apologise.

[@MrDylan2125]

John and The Yeti's ThoughBubble family was extremely adorable.

[@davesbabe42able]

Another great video, you have been very helpful. Thank you!

[@thermjuice]

I can't believe I've been a fan of SciShow for so long without being aware of this channel.

[@Elfxci]

I saw that glee reference. I saw it! :D

[@chevchelios1990]

I've been loving the series so far, and this is definitely one of my favourite episodes. terribly interesting!

[@tie-dyedteen9252]

This really helps me! Earned another subscribe. Watched your physics vids too, helped me understand the periodic table! Thank you!

[@simonhuang3821]

At first, I watch the video for my management class, but I find the video describe very detail about motivation. I watched twice to catch up the points. I think the hunger is the most important motivation in our lives. When we are hungry and we know that we don't have lunch until finish our jobs, then people would work very fast.

[@ambermendoza1277]

he was referring to that movie with james franco in 127 HOURS that was a good movie

[@wendyliu4775]

127 hours is based on a real life event.

[@ambermendoza1277]

Wendy Liu i know

[@juleesa9129]

암버 that movie is so good

[@michaelgallagher2376]

No he was referring to the actual story that he referenced.

[@ambermendoza1277]

I know

[@kosashu1]

These videos are just packed with knowledge!!! You're such an awesome guy bro! I wish they would make schience, psychology and biology this interesting in school

[@howardchua145]

Thank you for your videos, they make learning fun again!

[@miligupta9656]

love this series! really insightful! and has anyone ever noticed how John Green's books always find a cameo in these videos

[@SuperYetidude]

Does anyone else know that john green wrote the fault in our stars????

[@lazers28]

yes. many of his fans on youtube have read tfios. Like... a lot

[@SuperYetidude]

wtf i didnt know until i saw someone report on the movie premiere and i was like, HEY I KNOW HIM

[@Buildologyy]

lazers28 yes, like 96% of them according to the census

[@Lun4812]

ew

[@israelmelgar1396]

Noooo it was Daffy Duck

[@Krazycutiegurlxxx]

Error in the heading at 3:50?

[@emiliamichanek2301]

This inspired me to learn more about psychology. Thank you.

[@yashsawarn9050]

0:00 to 1:00 one of the best motivational videos I have ever seen

[@moardub]

Wait so if that guy cut his own arm off...how can he pick his child up like that? I guess the future of 3d printed prosthetics is promising at least.

[@veritas88n4]

+moardub In the middle of his final night, hallucinating through hunger, lack of water and 3C temperatures, he had a vision of a small boy. "I see myself in this out-of-body experience playing with him with a handless right arm. I see myself scoop him up and there's this look in his eyes, 'Daddy, can we play now?' That look tells me this is my son, this is in the future, I'm gonna have this experience some day. Now it's like, I am going to get through this night." Here ya go. www.theguardian.com/film/2010/dec/15/story-danny-boyles-127-hours

[@TunTheOfficial]

veritas88n4 thank you.

[@TheRunningLeopard]

Can you talk about why Asexuals don't feel or act on most sexual hormones? My parents and friends think it is just a phase, or do to me being an introvert. I want to help them understand that it isn't that.

[@MaxineMcCurdy]

You should send this question to sexplanations, they deal more with that kind of thing on that channel than this one. (its a good question though!! :D)

[@WrathOfMega]

I envy you.

[@Synthen]

Your parents want you to have sex? Why would they care?

[@twilor9515]

Well, hi there, I'm an ace too, if you haven't, you should join AVEN. The truth is, is that no one knows what causes asexuality.

[@theuglyzone]

Jut hang in there man(I actually dont know if youre of the male gender, but you know what I mean), and hopefully theyll get over themselves.

[@aveenhussien615]

hi i really really love what you guys do in crash course and love the way you teach things ... i find this the only way that i can learn new things without falling asleep so thanks a lot.

[@ashleymanney450]

thanks for making these, they're so great

[@monkeybabe1998]

Was that pin at the mention of novels a reference to "Paper Towns"?

[@gummybears242]

huh,Maslow's Hierarchy pyramid was mentioned in The Fault in Our Stars and I actually remembered the levels before Hank explained it. There's hope for me yet x)

[@ChristineTran2]

I'm amazed that these four theories are so well articulated within 11 minutes.

[@luigipati3815]

Brilliant channel. I haven't seen a better one yet. The mini lecture reminds me of what Schopenhauer wrote about boredom, a big theme in his philosophy.

[@HunnyBunny917]

I have no motivation to do anything until I am forced too. Clean my house, shower, leave my house. And I avoid doing all of those things if I can. Why do I not have motivation to better myself?

[@amazonfrog1197]

I'm no expert, but it sounds like you're suffering from depression.

[@0DlREoAMvERe0]

AmazonFrog119 I don't think she has depression XD. depression is not because you have no motivation. I also do things last minute so yeah

[@HunnyBunny917]

actually I do have chronic bipolar depression. i dont do things last minute. u just dont want to do them. I have no motivation to get out of bed. I cannot clean my house unless someone else is there.

[@AndromedaMoon888]

Shantelle Benfica I got to a point where I stayed at home all day doing nothing and got so sick of it that THAT gave me the motivation to finally go out and do something. I can say I’m way happier now that I feel productive

[@AndromedaMoon888]

But if it doesn’t bother you and you don’t have a real need for being active then I mean you do you and be happy

[@mrs.lslifeskills9156]

Hi Hank! I'm really enjoying this course. You should try to make a Crash Course textbook with all the colors and jokes that your videos have!

[@potatertots2060]

RASIST

[@jrod16sports]

Thank you for posting this!!

[@charlottebuxton2066]

There was a study on motivation that deprived ppts off food for 24hr and then showing them food on a screen while the experimenter recorded how bright the ppts viewed the food against a controlled group that was not deprived- despite the ethical issues of harming participants and the participants not fully aware of how it feels to go without food the study showed the deprivation caused a brighter, more idealistic view of the food images. It’s interesting that their motivation on food changed their perception of food.

[@CambieAngel]

I’ve got an AP exam Monday I’m playing these videos on loop

[@Simalacrum]

Vegetable pizza reference at 8:47... nice xD

[@amanatee27]

Hey Thought Cafe, thanks for all the awesome animations and pics, especially when you sneak in little references. It's really appreciated [:

[@willlanghart4057]

Thanks a lot man. Video is very useful! Keep up the good work

[@mauracoz]

these psychology crash courses are the reason i have an A in my class right now

[@KinleighClanton]

The paper towns reference (:

[@darrenlind7491]

You rock! Love these videos!

[@guyguyton7086]

just when I thought all your videos were incredible you make them even more. and you do videos like this

[@mutsuhanma7807]

2:45 Reads Physiological, you say psychological.

[@NickVetter]

Wow ruined the whole video

[@alicecooper1977]

Hey, new knitting patterns can be pretty damn exciting! Sincerely, the knitting adrenaline junkie :p

[@DiplomatsDaughter22]

What a fantastic video to watch with my morning coffee. FUGGIN LOVE YOU GUYZ

[@JIVINCRAZYAPPLE]

That was nice, love the videos!

[@Goabnb94]

Who on earth would feel motivated to go mountain biking in the same video about a guy who cut off his arm in a mountain biking accident?

[@pantopia3518]

who else saw the paper towns pin and if you've read TFIOS you will know about Maslo

[@rajatsikarwar8593]

TO get motivated for doing any thing, we need a very strong reason. That's basically driving reduction like we study hard because we think to be successful in future(such a lie). best example:- I am writing a comment on a motivational video because I was said to, to get full marks in an assignment, that is my motivation.

[@desertshield]

Love this episode!

[@nadiact-ie5hy]

I love all of the shout-outs to John and to Nerdfighteria in this video. DFTBA.

[@ishitagupta6781]

4:30 is that a Paper Towns reference I see??? Comparing Margo and Q??

[@oo0someonelikeme0oo]

Your videos makes mu day ... thank you so very much

[@xnyz7]

I Learned so much more through your crash course videos than attending class room.

[@travisnoles1]

9:24 "Men withdrew from one another..." I couldn't help but laugh

[@joelhc9703]

Ostracism is my thing.

[@michyltobiason5945]

This guy is awesome! I am motivated!

[@montelo555]

CrashCourse: sharing knowledge beautifully since ages.

[@JokersRebirth]

Pizza is my favorite vegetable!

[@pearld3765]

That paper towns reference though 📌

[@Maya-tt4cl]

I love all the references to John Green's books :D

[@Lucols4]

man I never thought psychology would be so awesome like that

[@RamblingsOfAnElfpire]

Am I the only person that thought of Dumbledore when Hank mentioned 'knitting patterns'? xD

[@bayleesydney5539]

you guys are so amazing & thanks for teaching something new every day ! ( well week haha ) we watch John's history videos in AP world history but I struck out on my own & discovered these super interesting Psychology ones . I watch them all the time & I just wanna thank you both for helping me learn more about the world both around me & inside my head (:

[@nimayaghoubi374]

Thanks guys, I've learned many things from your videos.

[@jenslyn87]

Excellent episode!