Differentiate between primary and secondary motives:
Primary motives: (a) Effect of lack of sleep on performance. Try to keep awake for a long period of time, for example for about 16 hours.
Now list your experience on two aspects:
(i) how long you take to learn a lesson. and
(ii) your feelings at this point of time.
(b) Effect of not eating for a long period of time. Try not to eat for a long period, for example, 8 hours. List your experience in terms of how you feel.
Rate your feelings on a five point scale in terms of:
(i) extent of low feeling.
(ii) level of irritation and annoyance.
Secondary motives: Secondary needs lead to psychological or social motives. They are called social motives because they are learned in social groups, particularly the family. As children
grow up and interact with others they acquire certain needs which can be fulfilled in a group setting. For example, achievement motivation is acquired by children through
their parents, role models and socio-cultural influences.
Some common social motives are:
Achievement: To strive for success and excellence, carry out difficult tasks.
Affiliation: To seek and enjoy the company of others, to make friends.
Power: To strive for impact on others, to influence, control and persuade others.
Nurturance: To help and take care of others such as children, elderly or sick persons.
Aggression: To fight, forcefully overcome opposition, to hurt and ridicule.
Exploration: To seek a variety of stimulation, to explore novel things.