You have read about the psychological principles regarding motivation. In the original post,

• Which of the three theories of motivation outlined in the textbook best describes your internal process in deciding to return for a master's degree?
• Describe how motivation plays an important role in goal-setting.
• Identify how knowledge of motivation theories may help with obstacles you may face.
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To account for the fact that people often seek to increase rather than reduce tension, many psychologists turned to the arousal theory of motivation. According to arousal theory, all human beings are motivated to achieve and maintain an optimum level of bodily arousal-not too little, not too much (Fiske & Maddi, 1961). Studies show that people who are put into a state of sensory restriction (blindfolded, ears plugged, and unable to move) or into a highly monotonous situation quickly become bored and crave stimulation. Studies also show that when people are bombarded with bright lights, blaring music, and other intense stimuli, they soon withdraw in an effort to lower their level of arousal. The chapter on health, stress, and wellness explains that individuals differ in the amount of stimulation they find "optimal" (Aron & Aron, 1997; Simpson & Balsam, 2016). It also explores the finding that people are generally happier and more motivated when they engage in activities that are challenging in relation to their ability-not too easy, which is boring, and not too difficult, which triggers anxiety (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997; Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). arousal theory. The notion that people are motivated to achieve and maintain an optimum level of bodily arousal. Incentive Theory In contrast to the notion that people are "pushed" into action by internal need states, many motivation psychologists believe that people are often "pulled" by external goals, or incentives. According to incentive theory of motivation, any stimulus object that people have learned to associate with positive or negative outcomes can serve as an incentive-grades, money, access to Wi-Fi, gaming, respect, ice cream, a romantic night out, a pat on the back, or relief from pain. People are motivated to behave in certain ways when they expect that they can gain the incentive through their efforts and when they value that incentive. Recognizing that human beings set goals, make plans, and think about the outcomes they produce, motivation theorists today believe that there is a strong cognitive component to many of our aspirations (Atkinson 1964 imlea et al 2018).