Motivation
A Biobehavioural Approach

This book presents an analysis of motivated behaviour from a biological perspective.

Roderick Wong (Author)

9780521561754, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 July 2000

292 pages, 26 b/w illus.
23.6 x 15.7 x 2.3 cm, 0.565 kg

Motivation: A Biobehavioural Approach provides the reader with an understanding of why an individual exhibits certain behaviours, and what the causes of these actions are. Roderick Wong presents an analysis of motivated behaviour such as sexual activity, parental behaviour, food selection, fear or aggression, from a biological perspective, each chapter focussing on individual systems underlying specific motivational states that result in motivated acts. The similarities, differences and integration between these motivational systems are discussed throughout. Using a framework derived from research and theory from animal behaviour and comparative psychology, this book analyses relevant issues in human motivation such as mate choice, nepotism, attachment and independence, sensation-seeking, obesity and parent-offspring conflict. It will be particularly useful for undergraduate students in psychology or behavioural science taking courses in motivation and emotion, comparative psychology, animal behaviour or biological psychology.

Preface
Credits and acknowledgements
1. Introduction and perspective
2. Mating and reproductive activities
3. Parental/maternal activities
4. Feeding activities
5. Food selection
6. Drinking activities
7. Stimulus seeking and exploratory activities
8. Aversive motivation systems: fear, frustration, and aggression
9. Social motivation: attachment and altruism
10. Conclusion and retrospective
References
Author index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Animal behaviour [PSVP], Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR]