MOTIVATION AND EMOTION: STAND AND DELIVER 1

Motivation and Emotion: Stand and Deliver

Lisbeth Ulloa

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Author Note

This paper was prepared for Psychology II, taught by Professor Acosta
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Abstract

Our motivation and emotion is what drives us to participate in actions that drive us. Having

motivation helps us complete tasks or goals that we have set in life. Throughout this paper I will

be discussing what motivation is and how do we obtain this factor. Ill also explain in detail the

three theoretical approaches to motivation as well as providing examples per each theoretical

approach. After discussing what motivation is I will be introducing a film called Stand and

Deliver directed by Ramon Mendez that involves motivation and emotion. Ill be discussing the

primary factor/s that is/are motivating the behaviors of the main character, intrinsic or extrinsic

motivation, and the success of the characters vision. To end my paper, Ill conclude all my work

and discuss how motivation and emotion contribute to our daily lives.
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Motivation

When I think about motivation what comes to mind is the desire that an individual

obtains to do something. Motivation is what drives an individual to behave, think and feel the

way they do (King, 2014, p.328). Anyone can have motivation but whats sometimes difficult is

keeping that motivation alive. A couple examples of motivation can be: a person motivated by

achieving academic goals will spend hours in the library until they are satisfied, and a person

motivated by entrepreneurs and the money will spend hours learning about new ways to start a

business to earn higher income.

Types of Motivation

There are two types of motivation Intrinsic and Extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation taking part

of an activity because you either find interest in it or for enjoyment (intrinsic motivation, n.d.).

An example of intrinsic motivation can be a student motivated to read books. The student finds

enjoyment in reading books and has made a hobby out of reading various books. Extrinsic

motivation is a behavior that is driven by rewards (Cherry, 2016). After completing a task, you

are expected to receive a reward which leads to motivation. An example of extrinsic motivation

can be studying for an exam all night long. You are motivated to study for a big exam that will

reward you with a good grade.

Theoretical Approaches of Motivation

There are three theoretical approaches, evolutionary approach, drive reduction theory,

and optimum approach theory (King, 2014, p. 328).

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Evolutionary Approach emphasizes the passing on of ones genes (King, 2014 p.

328) instincts play a huge role in this because our instincts relate to motivation.

Organisms are born with biological tendencies that help them survive. These reflexes

that infants and animals have help them survive through life as well.
Drive Reduction Theory emphasizes on your desire to want and need something (King,

2014, p.328) Our biological needs such as what we need to survive is what drives us.

These biological needs can be food, water or shelter. Our needs give us purpose and

direction to our behavior. For instance, you may have a need for food, your hunger drives

you to want and need the food.

Optimum Arousal Theory suggests that arousal is what defines human behavior.

Optimal arousal theory suggests that there should be a level of arousal that is ideal for

facilitating goal attainment (King, 2014, p. 329). A persons arousal levels increase

when they are about to take part of exciting activities the drive their excitement. This can

be a rollercoaster, or seeing a family member for the first time in years.

A film that demonstrates motivation and emotion is called Stand and Deliver. In this

film motivation is constantly shown. An instance of motivation is shown when students become

motivated to learn more lectures from Mr. Escalantes class. Students became motivated because

of Mr. Escalantes pep talks about how important it is to learn especially math. Another example

of an instance of motivation was when Mr. Escalante first heard about what he will be teaching.

When he heard that he will be teaching basic mathematics that motivated him to try and teach his

students something more challenging.

The primary factors that drove Mr. Escalantes to continue to teach these high school

students was his desire for his students to prove those that doubted them wrong. This primary

factor relates to the Drive and Reduction Theory because Mr. Escalante was motivated by his
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students. Mr. Escalantes willingness to help his students brought the feeling of satisfaction. Mr.

Escalantes type of motivation was certainly intrinsic. Mr. Escalante found enjoyment in helping

those students in need of a better education. Mr. Escalante never complained about helping those

students. He took time out of his off days to help students prepare for a Advance placement test

that will help them for college. He gives summer classes, makes students come in an hour before

regular class begins and even gives classes on Saturdays. This teacher goes out of his way and

prepare this high school students.

Throughout the time of him helping each one of these students Mr. Escalante faces a

couple of obstacles. These obstacles are parents and teachers. When Mr. Escalante has dinner at

Ana family restaurant with her dad, Mr. Escalante brings up how bright of a student Ana is and

that she shouldnt be working at the restaurant because of her potential. Mr. Escalante also

mentions to Ana dad that there letting her life pass away and that shes a very smart girl that can

go to college and open up her own business. Ana father is appalled by Mr. Escalantes behavior.

He believes that his daughter Ana is doing just fine and that college will only bring her trouble.

Mr. Escalante proves Ana father wrong by demonstrating to him all that Anita is capable of doing

and how smart she is. The next obstacle that Mr. Escalante faces is the negative feedback of other

teachers. When Mr. Escalante brings up his idea of teaching calculus to other staff members of

the school they are shocked. Theses staff members believe that the students Mr. Escalante is

teaching do not have potential and are not smart enough for calculus. He also brings up the

college credit exam that he suggests his students should take. Of course, the staff members of the

math department disagree and feel as if the students dont have what it takes. However, Mr.

Escalante proves them wrong after the results come back from the math exam the student took.
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After numerous tests, hard work, and consistency Mr. Escalante was successful in his

plan. The students passed the AP calculus exam and Mr. Escalante felt very proud. The students

also felt proud in their hard work and dedication. Now they know that they can accomplish

anything if they put time and effort into anything. Motivation played a huge role in this part of

the film. Both the students and the teacher felt motivated into accomplish this important goal.

By all the hard work these students performed you would think that they were over

learning. Overlearning is defined to be as the practice of a skill or study of material to further

strengthen memory and performance (Over learning, n.d.). Mr. Escalante made sure the students

were understood math. He related math to the real world and also made games out of math

problems that the students will remember. Over learning came be very beneficial, when you over

learn a subject you get better at it and dont have a problem answering questions. When you over

learn a subject you still desire to know more because of the interesting knowledge.
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Conclusion

Motivation helps us complete goals that we have set. Motivation provides a drive for

people to also maintain their responsibilities as well as problem solving. According to Laura

King motivation is the force that moves people to behave, think, and feel the way they do. A

person can be motivated by anything in life that they desire. Working hard to move up to another

job position is motivational because of the benefits. Keeping that motivation constant is what

will help achieve this desire.

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References

Cherry, K. (2016, June 21). What Are Extrinsic Motivation and Rewards?. In VeryWell. Retrieved

April 23, 2017.

intrinsic motivation. (n.d.). Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon. Retrieved April 23, 2017

King, L. A. (2014). The Science of Psychology (p. 328). New York, NY: McGraw - Hill.

Overlearning. (n.d.). In Alleydog.com's online glossary. Retrieved April 23, 2017