Motivation is the driving force that initiates and guides our behaviour. It's the underlying reason for our actions, whether it's tackling a work project with enthusiasm or finding the energy to exercise.
What Drives Us?
At the core of motivation is the desire to fulfil our needs, whether they're biological drives, like thirst, or complex, like achieving personal growth. These needs can drive us to set and achieve goals, ranging from the mundane to the ambitious.
The Role of Homeostasis in Motivation
The concept of homeostasis is pivotal in understanding motivation. It's the body's way of maintaining a stable internal environment. When we feel out of balance—like being thirsty—our body prompts us to take action to return to equilibrium, rewarding us with a sense of relief once we do.
The Brain’s Reward System and Dopamine
Social psychologist Roy Baumeister says, “Motivation is wanting.” And Baumeister's remark resembles psychologist William James's “Wanting is for doing!”
Because we're animals, we can move and change our environment, therefore wanting and doing are linked. Both movement and motivation require dopamine and share brain architecture.
In the brain, dopamine plays a star role in the brain's reward system. It's a neuromodulator that's released when we experience pleasure or success, reinforcing the behaviour that got us there. This means next time we encounter a situation; we’ll be more likely to try again.
Learning Through Rewards and Disappointments
Our nervous system is designed to adapt and learn from our experiences.
Dopamine levels guiding learning by fluctuating based on the outcomes of our actions. These peaks and troughs of dopamine release are known as "reward prediction errors," and they're crucial for learning.
- When outcomes exceed expectations (like a happy surprise or reward) Our dopamine neurons fire more intensely, providing feelings of satisfaction and encouraging us to repeat the behaviour.
- When outcomes fall short (like an anti-climax): Dopamine activity decreases, leading to disappointment and reducing our inclination to repeat the action in the future.
Dopamine helps us adjust our expectations and behaviours to align with what truly matters to us.
Why does this matter to coaching?
For professionals, understanding the neuroscience of motivation can be a powerful tool. By recognising the biological bases of motivation, coaches can better support their clients in harnessing their drive to achieve their desired outcomes.