Mood
What mood best describes working on something you love
Enthusiasm
According to Maslow, what is the most basic human need?
Physiological (food, water, shelter)
What are extrinsic motivators?
External rewards like money, prizes, or praise and/or avoiding something unpleasant
Doing something because you enjoy or value it is an example of...
Intrinsic Motivation
What’s one synonym for “motivation”?
Drive / Ambition / Desire
You’re about to start a big assignment but you’re feeling tired and grumpy. What’s one quick thing you could do to lift your mood and get motivated again?
Take a short break, listen to music, stretch, get some fresh air, or talk to a friend to reset your mindset.
What need comes after safety in Maslow’s hierarchy?
Love and belonging.
You just found out your school is giving out free pizza to everyone who finishes their assignment early. What kind of motivation does that create, and why might it work so well?
It creates motivation based on an external reward — people want to finish quickly to get the pizza! Rewards like this make tasks more exciting or competitive.
You just spent an hour drawing, gaming, or playing a sport and completely lost track of time — how would you describe that feeling?
Enjoyable, relaxing, or satisfying — like doing something because you truly like it, not because someone told you to.
Who was influential to Michael Jordan’s deal with Nike and how?
Michael Jordans mother - she convinced him to attend Nike’s meeting, leading to the Air Jordan deal.
Give an example of how a bad mood might reduce your motivation.
When you’re tired or upset, you might not want to work hard.
Give an example of how school can meet a student’s esteem needs.
Praise, awards, or teacher feedback
In the Nick Kyrgios excerpt, what were some external factors influencing his tennis career?
Sponsorships, travel, fame, and financial rewards.
In the Michael Jordan excerpt, what showed his inner drive?
His love of basketball and constant drive to improve.
What part of the human body is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions like planning and decision-making crucial for organising goal-directed behaviour and personality.
Prefrontal cortex (PFC) - part of your brain that sits behind your forehead
What is one strategy someone can use to improve their mood before doing something difficult?
Exercise, music, breaks
What is self-actualization? Give an example of someone who is said to have achieved this.
The process of realising one's full potential and striving to become the best version of oneself. E.g Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela
How can extrinsic rewards sometimes reduce a person’s motivation?
If people focus only on rewards, they may lose interest/enjoyment in the task itself.
Why might intrinsic motivation last longer than extrinsic motivation? Provide an example
It comes from within and doesn’t rely on external rewards.
What motivates you more — internal satisfaction or external rewards? Why?
Open ended
Imagine you’re an athlete - How could your mood before a game affect your performance — and what could you do if your mood wasn’t right?
A negative mood could lead to poor focus or frustration, while a positive mood boosts energy and confidence. They might use routines like listening to music, visualization, or deep breathing to get in the zone.
Maslow said people move up and down the hierarchy. Give an example of a time someone might move back down
Losing a job or feeling unsafe might make someone focus again on basic or safety needs.
Some athletes and influencers get paid to promote products they don’t actually use. Imagine you’re offered a huge amount of money to advertise something you don’t believe in — would you do it? Explain your choice
Open ended - external rewards (money, recognition) can conflict with personal beliefs or integrity.
Explain how someone could be both intrinsically and extrinsically motivated at the same time.
Example: A musician loves creating songs (intrinsic) but also earns money from performances (extrinsic).
Why are extrinsic motivations (like money, praise, or rewards) often connected to the lower levels of Maslow’s hierarchy?
Extrinsic motivations are linked to the lower levels of Maslow’s hierarchy, such as physiological, safety, love/belonging, and esteem needs. These needs are often satisfied through external rewards or approval — like working for money (safety), studying for praise (esteem), or fitting in with friends (belonging).
As people meet these lower needs, they can move toward higher, more internal motivations. In other words, once basic needs are met, motivation becomes more about purpose and growth than survival or recognition.