Motivation-+Sarah+Jang

= = =Sarah's Motivation Pyramid = 

=Altruism Homework =  **Are we, as some might say, motivated by a desire to save our off-spring?** -Although it’s not the only motivator, it is likely that we’re motivated by a desire to save our off-springs. Sociological research has found not only that we have genetic predispositions to help others, but also that this behavior focuses on others in the way evolutionary biologists would predict: Firstly, we would protect ourselves so that we can have children. Secondly, we would protect our children. Thirdly, we would protect close relatives including our children's children. Fourthly, we protect those of our kin, tribe and locality who are likely to share genes with us.

-I personally disagree to the notion that there must be some sort of intrinsic reward, but according to the website altruism is an illusion; a behavior caused by rewards such as “neurochemical rewards,” “personal pride,” “social reward,” or “the want of power over others.”
 * Must there always be some sort of intrinsic reward for doing good?**

-Yes, because though no rewards are promised right away, the “integrity” factor plays with your guilt and conscience. Because keeping our self-esteem can be a good motivator, a person with high self-esteem is likely to act morally.
 * Mr. Otis once said, "That having integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching." If this is so, and no one knows when we have done good, would you still do good?**

-As a child, we grow up learning the famous lesson, “do unto others as you would have them unto you.” It is not illogical for us to behave under the delayed reciprocal altruism because though it may seem like a mere gamble, one can hardly argue for maltreatment when one has maltreated others the same way. It is quite possible that we act out of a desire to have what we have done being done to us.
 * "Delayed reciprocal altruism", seems like a gamble - back to game theory, any way. Does this seem to make sense to you. That is that we act out of a desire to have what we have done being done to us?**

-Though this website argues that altruism is a mere illusion, I believe that depending on the definition of “selfless” we can still define our actions as a selfless giving. So what if altruism evokes our ego and reflects our desire to gain intrinsic rewards? According to many statistics, poor give more than the rich. Even in a situation where it’s impossible to gain any benefits, people often give. I believe that no matter how much one argues about the illusion of altruism, there truly exits a selfless giving.
 * Are we ever being truly "selfless" when committing an act of altruism?**



 =Eating Disorder =  -A typical symptom that can be found among people who are suffering from an eating disorder is the low self-esteem. Persuaded by the images of models and other thin people in popular culture, people with an eating disorder tend to see the mirror and feel the need to get thinner. In order to fit in to the society's general frame of beauty, many teenagers turn to eating disorder, damaging both their health and their self esteem.
 * What seems to be the major motivating factor(s) for people that are affected by an eating disorder?**



  =Sexual Motivation – Gay Gene =  -According to a recent research, being a gay is not a choice but is a natural occurrence influenced by the gay gene. This idea that homosexuality is an innate characteristic is not yet proven, but if it is, several social and political dilemmas may arise. For example, the existence of gay gene gives a strength to the gay community's voices and proves that gay people should be protected. This can bring significant changes both socially and politically. Also, if homosexuality is an innate characteristic, it also gives strength to the people who believe that homosexuality is a "defect" and therefore should be cured. Either way, the possibility of a "gay gene" can bring some questions among the supporters and protesters of gay people.
 * What might be the social/political implications for there being a gay gene?**