Behavioural Theories.

Authors Avatar
Bob Heaney Behavioural Theories When it comes to health and fitness, the British (in particular we in the west coast of Scotland) are not renowned for our enthusiasm on the matter. The Scottish Executive is now realising however that this is an issue which needs addressed, and quickly. The strain upon the National Health Service and the deteriorating health of the nation is a worry, and if we are to install suitable values in the population then we must learn how to motivate them. Leading behavioural psychologists have devised a number of motivational and behavioural theories, and this helps us begin to understand the way people behave, and consequently why they behave the way that they do. Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was one of these psychologists, who produced a piece of work which he named his “hierarchy of needs”. Maslow suggested that there are five sets of goals, which may be called basic needs. Mans primal need is for survival, and the simple physiological needs are thirst, hunger, shelter, sleep and sex. Not necessarily in any particular order however, as the need for a drink may at times overtake the need for food- but if you found yourself with someone’s hands around your throat, then needing a thirst quencher would be quickly forsaken for the need to breathe! Secondary to survival is the need for security. This reflects our desire to be free from danger, however in the 21st century this more resembles the need for job security and financial independence rather than the fear of sabre-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths. This is followed by mans desire to belong or to be loved. Humans are social animals and man has been known to go to extraordinary lengths in order to be accepted as part of a group or society. When these have been satisfied, we come to the desire for self-esteem and self-respect, which are affected by a person's standing reputation,
Join now!
and his or her need for recognition and appreciation. In the past it may have been the head arrow-maker or swordsmith, whereas now it may be the local football team manager, or anything that may give him/her a title, power or a feeling of prestige. Finally we come to self-actualisation. This is when one has satisfied all the lower needs, and discovered how to maximise our talents and abilities. This may come in the form of job fulfilment, however if this is not the case then we have to consider if sport can fill that gap. Maslow’s theory is normally ...

This is a preview of the whole essay