Advertisers And Marketers Use Information About Our M 976410
Advertisers And Marketers Use Information About Our Motivations When T
Advertisers and marketers use information about our motivations when they create advertising campaigns. Find video clips of commercials for a particular product and identify which motivations are being targeted in the ad. Create a 350- to 525-word (about 1- to 1 1/2-page) paper about motivation in which you do the following: Summarize the commercial. Describe the motivation(s) being targeted in the ad. Also consider which motivations aren't being targeted. Compare the different theories of motivation (instinct, evolutionary, drive, arousal, incentive, and hierarchal) and explain their relevance, if any, in the advertisement. Note . Be sure to proper APA format with use of citations for any resources you use.
Paper For Above instruction
In analyzing how advertisers manipulate motivation to influence consumer behavior, it is essential to examine how commercials target specific psychological drives. For this paper, I selected a recent commercial promoting a fitness supplement. The ad depicts a young, energetic individual pushing through physical exhaustion to achieve a personal best, emphasizing themes of perseverance, strength, and health. The commercial’s narrative and visuals aim to associate the product with motivation for self-improvement and vitality, appealing primarily to the intrinsic motivation of self-efficacy and achievement.
The primary motivation targeted by this advertisement is the need for achievement and personal success, rooted in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The commercial suggests that using this product can enhance one's physical capabilities, fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting self-esteem. Moreover, it appeals to social motivation—recognition and admiration from peers—by showcasing successful, admired individuals committed to their fitness goals. The ad's vibrant imagery and energetic soundtrack evoke arousal and excitement, which can increase viewers' motivation to purchase. Interestingly, the commercial does not overtly target motives such as safety needs (security and health concerns) or affiliation (family or social bonds), although indirectly, health benefits might imply safety-related motives.
Various theories of motivation offer frameworks to understand the commercial’s effectiveness. The instinct theory, which suggests that behaviors are driven by innate biological instincts, has limited relevance here, as consumer behavior in this context is more influenced by learned desires. Evolutionary theory, which emphasizes survival instincts and reproductive success, could relate indirectly; healthy and physically fit individuals may be deemed more reproductively attractive, thus motivating consumers to seek such products.
The drive theory, emphasizing reduction of physiological needs, seems less applicable, since the commercial primarily appeals to psychological and social motivations rather than physiological drives. Conversely, the arousal theory, focusing on stimulating attention and excitement, is highly relevant—dynamic visuals and energetic music increase arousal levels, making the ad memorable and motivating action. The incentive theory, which posits that behaviors are driven by external rewards, aligns well with the commercial, which often implies that purchasing the product leads to external validation or tangible health benefits.
Finally, the hierarchy of needs theory by Maslow is particularly pertinent. The advertisement appeals to esteem needs—boosting confidence and social recognition—and self-actualization—realizing personal potential. By targeting these levels, the ad aims to motivate consumers to purchase the product as a step toward fulfilling higher-order psychological needs.
References
- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
- Gordon, H. R. (2018). Consumer motivation and behavior. New York: Routledge.
- Schiffman, L., & Kanuk, L. (2014). Consumer behavior. Pearson.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Pink, D. H. (2009). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. Penguin.
- Atkinson, R. C., & Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes. In K. W. Spence & J. T. Spence (Eds.), The psychology of learning and motivation (Vol. 2, pp. 47–89). Academic Press.
- Reeve, J. (2015). Understanding motivation and emotion (6th ed.). Wiley.
- Schwarz, N. (2012). Feeling and thinking: Closing the gap between research and practice. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 13(2), 59–64.
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.