Effectance Motives

Many behaviours appear early enough in human development to seem inborn, and yet they seem more varied in expression and direction than physiological motives. Among these are behaviours motivated by activity, exploration and curiosity, and manipulation. Some researchers have termed these effectance motives because they comprise an individual's abilities to function within and have an effect on his or her environment. 

Activity 
Contrary to the predictions of drive-reduction theories of motivation, both humans and animals appear more likely to seek and display activity that an inert, nonstimulated, or satisfied state. Research indicates that general activity levels may be higher when specific drives increase. For example, a hungry caged rat runs more an faster in a treadmill as a regularly schedule mealtime approaches. This suggests that general activity may be energized by the arousal of specific drives. 

Exploration and Curiosity 
There may be a motivational 'need to know' stimulated especially by uncerainty and mystery. Animals will learn when reinforced only by opportunities to explore the environment. Humans rate scenic views as more aesthetically pleasing when they include 'mystery' , whether a partially obscured view or a disappearing pathway. Gestalt principles of perception also suggest that humans value meaning, closure and understanding, and that we may undertake behaviours in search of these qualities. 

Manipulation 
There is some evidence that people have stimulus needs, needs for sensory stimulation, as well as needs aimed at reducing sensations like hunger and thirst. One such stimulus need is evident in manipulation, touching and grasping behaviour, which is observed only in primates like humans and apes.



Eagles In A Storm 

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?

The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.