Elective Course
PSY303 – Human Motivation
Course Unit Code: PSY303
Type Of Unit: Elective
Level of Course Unit: Undergraduate
Year of Study: Year 3
Number of ECTS Credits: 7.5
Class Contact Hours: 36
Mode of Delivery
Face to Face
Prerequisites
None
Course Objectives
This course seeks to give students a thorough understanding of the psychological mechanisms that underlie and shape human behavior, with a particular emphasis on the notion of motivation. The different theoretical stances, empirical studies, and practical applications connected to comprehending why people engage in particular behaviors, create goals, and pursue objectives will be explored by students throughout this course. Students will gain research skills, critical thinking abilities, and a deeper understanding of the complicated nature of human behavior through exploring the complexity of human motivation.
Learning Outcomes
The following learning outcomes are expected, where students will:
- Understand major theories and models of human motivation and their historical evolution.
- Describe the neurological and physiological systems involved in motivation and reward processing.
- Analyze the effects of personal, cultural, and societal influences on motivation.
- Apply motivational theories to real-world situations in education, workplace, and health contexts.
- Discuss ethical considerations in motivation research and applications.
Course Content
This course seeks to give students a thorough understanding of the psychological mechanisms that underlie and shape human behavior, with a particular emphasis on the notion of motivation. The different theoretical stances, empirical studies, and practical applications connected to comprehending why people engage in particular behaviors, create goals, and pursue objectives will be explored by students throughout this course. Students will gain research skills, critical thinking abilities, and a deeper understanding of the complicated nature of human behavior through exploring the complexity of human motivation.
Week 1: Introduction to Motivation
Week 2: Theoretical Perspectives on Motivation
Week 3: Biological and Neural Basis of Motivation
Week 4: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
Week 5: Social and Cultural Factors in Motivation
Week 6: Emotion and Motivation
Week 7: Goal Setting and Achievement
Week 8: Motivation in Education
Week 9: Motivation in the Workplace
Week 10: Health and Well-being
Week 11: Motivation in Relationships
Week 12: Applying Motivation Theories
Week 13: Ethical Considerations
Week 14: Current Trends and Future Directions
Week 15: Student Presentations and Projects
Course Features
Teaching methodology: Lecture
Assessment:
- Midterm & Final Exam (30% & 30%): Mid-term and final exams will be conducted covering the entire course. Both exams will include multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions.
- Group assignment and presentation (20%): : Collaborative projects can involve designing interventions to enhance motivation in various settings, such as education, workplace, or health.
- Individual assignments (10%): Assign each student a specific motivational theory or topic to research and present to the class.
- Presence & Participation (10%): Students should be present and actively participate in in-class discussions.
Readings
Pink, D. H. (2018). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. Canongate Books.
Reeve, J. (2018). Understanding motivation and emotion (7th ed.). Wiley Custom.