How Arousal Theory of Motivation Works

What is it that moves us or drives us to do the things we do on a daily basis? There are many theories of motivation, one of which focuses on arousal levels.

In simple terms, the arousal theory of motivation suggests that people are driven toward situations and activities that will maintain an optimum level of arousal, such as alertness, interest, and energy. If arousal levels are too high, people will seek to reduce tension and stress, and if arousal levels are too low, people will seek to increase energy and alertness.

In this article, you will learn more about what arousal theory is and how it works. We also explain factors that influence arousal, the effect of arousal on performance, and examples of how to change your arousal level so you can be in the optimal zone.

What Is Arousal Theory of Motivation?

Harvard professor Harry Murray first proposed the arousal theory of motivation in the 1930s, although it has evolved over time. Murray explained motivation in terms of patterns of "needs" and "press," suggesting people are motivated by the push and pull from internal needs and external pressures. He believed people are often driven by emotional needs for love, achievement, power, and affiliation.

Optimal Arousal For Motivation

Arousal levels can be explained as a spectrum, ranging from low to high, with lower levels indicating tiredness, boredom, or sadness, and higher levels indicating excitement, aggression, or anxiety. Somewhere in between, there is an optimal arousal level for motivation, where you are essentially "in the zone," operating in a flow state.

What exactly is the optimal level of arousal for motivation? Educators, coaches, and business managers have been trying to figure this out for decades. Come to find out, it varies from one individual to the next. According to the arousal theory of motivation, each person has a unique arousal level that is right for them.

Some people may require a higher level of arousal while others may do better with much lower arousal levels. You may be someone who becomes bored easily and needs more stimulation to hold your attention. Or you could be that person who prefers a calm environment and does not need high levels of stimulation to remain motivated.

You will know you are in the optimal range when your mental capacity, vigilance, attentiveness, processing speed, learning, and decision-making are at their best. Physiological markers such as endurance, speed, strength, and reaction time also have an optimal range of arousal for peak performance.

When arousal levels are within your ideal range, your motivation and performance on tasks, like taking a test or competing in sports, are optimized.

Three Types of Arousal

Arousal levels that affect motivation can be mental (cognitive), emotional, or physical—sometimes referred to as the three parts of arousal theory. All three are important, but individuals may require more or less of each type to feel motivated, depending on the situation.

1. Mental arousal: A state of mental alertness, and the desire to explore and learn new things. Arousal levels are stimulated by something that captures your interest, evokes curiosity, and presents new intellectual challenges. Mental arousal is dependent on the cerebral cortex, where perception and thinking take place. There also needs to be a healthy reticular activating system within the brain stem, which is responsible for maintaining wakefulness and alertness.
2. Emotional arousal: A state of feeling a strong emotional charge toward something, be it passion, excitement, fear, joy, sadness, or other emotional states. Emotional arousal is driven by the limbic system (the emotion center) in the brain.
3. Physical arousal: A state of heightened physiological arousal in the body, making you feel ready to engage in physical activity. High levels of arousal may reflect an activated sympathetic nervous system, where your body responds to stress with the release of cortisol which activates your muscles, increases your heart rate, dilates your pupils, and so on. On the other hand, after eating a heavy meal, you may experience low levels of physical arousal due to activation of your parasympathetic nervous system that allows you to "rest and digest."
   

How Arousal Theory Works

The arousal theory of motivation shares some commonalities with the drive-reduction theory. Drives refer to some of our basic physiological needs such as hunger, thirst, avoidance of pain, and sex. Clark Hull (1943) explained in his theory, that humans strive for homeostasis, such that when we are hungry, we will seek out food, when we are tired, we seek out a nap, etc. Satisfying the need thereby reduces the tension for the time being.

Instead of focusing on reducing tension as a means of motivation, arousal theory suggests that we strive to maintain an ideal level of arousal that requires an increase or decrease in activities to keep us alert, energized, and motivated.

When we become overly aroused, we seek soothing activities that help calm and relax us. If we become under-aroused, we search for more invigorating activities that will stimulate and energize us. It's all about striking the right balance, but that balance is unique to each individual.

Arousal Theory and Performance

One of the popular assertions of this theory of motivation is that our levels of arousal can influence our performance. This concept is commonly referred to as the Yerkes-Dodson Law of 1908. The law states that increased levels of arousal will improve performance, but only up until the optimum arousal level is reached. After that point, performance begins to suffer as arousal levels increase. On a graph, this will look like an inverted U-shaped curve.

Additionally, if you're doing a complex task, high or low levels of arousal will affect you more than if you're doing something simple.

Most students have experienced this phenomenon when taking final exams. Increased arousal can lead to better test performance by helping you stay alert, focused, and attentive. However excessive arousal can lead to test anxiety and leave you nervous and unable to concentrate. When arousal levels are very high or very low, performance tends to be worse.

Factors That Influence Arousal Levels

Your optimal arousal level may be specified by your genetic makeup, but environmental factors can also play a role in how you are feeling at any given moment. A few examples of factors that influence arousal:

• Workload
• Lighting, temperature, noise level, distractions
• Complexity of the task
• Familiarity and skill level with the task
• Degree of risk involved
• Quality and quantity of sleep
• Perceived stress
• Mental health
• Overall health
• Current mood
• Personality traits (introversion/extroversion)

How to Change Your Arousal and Motivation

A person with low arousal needs might be motivated to pursue simple activities such as crocheting, spending time alone, journaling, or watching a movie in order to maintain their arousal levels. An individual with high arousal needs, on the other hand, might be motivated to seek out loud, upbeat music, physical activity, social stimulation, and even risky or thrilling activities such as motorcycle racing or skydiving in order to maintain their ideal levels.

If you need to raise your arousal levels, you might seek stimulation with activities like:

• Go for a run
• Socialize with friends
• Try something new and exciting
• Watch an action-packed movie
• Drink coffee
• Listen to upbeat music

If you need to lower your arousal levels, you might select a more relaxing activity:

• Enjoy a stress-relieving hobby
• Read a book
• Watch a documentary
• Go for a walk
• Take a warm bubble bath
• Listen to relaxing music
• Take a nap

No matter what your arousal needs are, you will be motivated to act in order to maintain these levels. If you need more arousal, you will pursue actions designed to raise those levels. If you need less, you will seek out ways to calm down and relax.