¿De dónde vienen las motivaciones?: Ivan Lerma at TEDxGalicia

Understanding Human Motivations

Introduction to Motivations

• The speaker, a psychiatrist, discusses the origins of human motivations and how they relate to professional perceptions.

• Common responses to the profession of psychiatry include skepticism about its seriousness or concerns about mental health implications.

• There are misconceptions about psychiatrists analyzing every behavior, which oversimplifies their role.

Animal Behavior as a Model

• The speaker compares human motivations to animal behaviors, highlighting instinctual actions driven by survival needs.

• Examples like gazelles fleeing from predators illustrate basic biological drives that govern animal behavior.

• The mating behaviors of turtles serve as another example of instinctual actions aimed at reproduction without complex motivations.

Four Major Axes of Human Motivation

• The speaker proposes four primary axes that drive human behavior:

• Self-preservation: Basic biological needs such as hunger and shelter.

• Narcissism: Relates to self-esteem and the image projected onto others.

• Sexuality: A significant but not exclusive motivator for behavior.

• Attachment: The social need for connection with others.

Understanding Attachment in Behavior

• An example is given where a crying child seeks attention due to basic needs (hunger, comfort).

• Adults may exhibit attachment behaviors through technology use, indicating a strong desire for social connection even in solitude.

• Mobile phone companies capitalize on this need for connection by ensuring people can communicate anytime, anywhere.

Understanding Attachment and Narcissism in Human Behavior

Observations on Social Interactions

• People often engage with their mobile phones immediately upon stepping outside, indicating a tendency to multitask even while socializing.

• Some individuals exhibit attachment behaviors, such as initiating conversations with strangers in close proximity during flights, reflecting discomfort with solitude or lack of intimacy.

The Complexity of Sexual Behavior

• Sexuality is presented as a source of endless physical pleasure but can lead to misunderstandings about motivations behind sexual conduct.

• Narcissism is linked to the display of power and wealth; historical examples illustrate how outward symbols (like extravagant hairstyles) serve as expressions of identity.

Misinterpretation of Motivations

• Not all behaviors that appear sexual are driven by sexual desire; deeper psychological interpretations may reveal alternative motivations.

• The archetype of Don Juan exemplifies this complexity—while he appears to be motivated by sexual conquest, psychoanalytic perspectives suggest his true drive may stem from narcissistic needs rather than mere sexual gratification.

The Role of Commitment in Relationships

• Commitment can symbolize institutionalized attachment; public declarations (like engagements) may intertwine personal desires with societal expectations.

• Situations involving commitment can also reflect narcissistic motivations, where relationships serve personal gain rather than genuine emotional connection.

Understanding Sexual Conduct in Context

• In contexts like prostitution, sexual acts often relate more to survival instincts than to pleasure, challenging common assumptions about motivation.

• Relationships and sexual encounters can serve various purposes beyond pleasure, including forming alliances or fulfilling narcissistic desires.

Understanding Motivations: The Conflict Between Narcissism and Self-Preservation

Attachment and Relationships

• Discusses how attachment can lead individuals to engage in behaviors they may despise, such as a woman who dislikes sexual relations with a man but feels compelled to maintain proximity to him.

• Highlights the conflict between different motivational systems, where satisfying one motivation may jeopardize another, exemplified by elite sports athletes risking their lives for achievement.

The Role of Narcissism

• Explores how narcissism drives individuals to pursue ideals at great personal risk, such as doping in competitive sports like the Tour de France.

• Emphasizes that the pursuit of self-esteem through risky behavior can outweigh concerns for physical safety, illustrating a tension between survival instincts and narcissistic desires.

Heroism and Altruism

• Introduces the concept of the hero archetype, suggesting that while heroes risk their lives for others, they also gain personal satisfaction from being perceived as heroic.

• Notes that acts of heroism often enhance one's self-image or narcissistic tendencies despite potential dangers involved.

Instinct vs. Desire

• Presents a hypothetical scenario where an individual faces immediate danger (e.g., being threatened with a gun), contrasting instinctual self-preservation against impulsive narcissistic reactions.

• Concludes that while narcissistic fantasies might encourage reckless behavior, survival instincts advocate for caution and compliance in dangerous situations.

Complex Interactions of Motivations

• Discusses how attachment needs can sometimes override self-preservation instincts in abusive relationships, leading individuals to endure harmful situations despite risks to their well-being.

• Suggests that understanding motivations behind behaviors is complex; it’s essential to consider personal motivations when evaluating actions rather than making hasty judgments about others' circumstances.

Conclusion on Motivation Models

• Concludes by emphasizing the complexity of attributing motivations to observed behaviors and encourages introspection regarding one's own motivations for interest in these dynamics.