3. Review on the Relation between Literature and Psychology
According to Wellek and Warren in Theory of Literature 1956: 81, psychology and literature have a close relation in which some literary works take the
issue of psychology as the basic idea. The term psychology of literature has four possible meanings. The first is the psychological study of the author as a type or as an
individual. The second is the study of creative process. The third is the study of psychological types and laws presented within works of literature, and the last is the
effect of literature upon readers 1956: 81. They state that people can learn theory of psychology that may be revealed in works of literature by analyzing the works. There
is another theory which states that literature and psychology has a relation in exploring human’s life, “in a variety of ways, a psychological approach has opened
new avenues to the study of literature” Cohen, 1958: 189. Those theories have shown the relation between psychology and literature. Analyzing literary works may
reflect certain psychological factors. This study will explore parts of the psychological subjects. That is the motive and motivation.
4. Theories Motive and Motivation
According to Frank J. Burno in Dictionary of Keywords in Psychology the definition of motive is hypothetical state in an organism used to explain its choices
and goal-oriented behavior 1986: 140. Furthermore, in Psychology and Life the definition of motivation is the process of starting, directing and maintaining physical
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and psychological activities toward a certain goal Gerring and Zimbardo, 2002: 364.
Motive makes human beings keep their effort to keep them on their goal and motivation supports them in the process of achieving their goal. Therefore,
motivation always influences someone’s action or behavior to pursue their goal. That statement shows that the theory of motive can not be separated from the theory of
motivation. So, in this analysis those theories will be used to explain the characters’ motive in life.
Worchel and Shebilske place motives into two groups. The first is primary motive, which concerns in our biological needs, e.g. thirst, sexual desire, hunger, rest,
etc. This motive is usually unlearned, common to all animals, and vital for the survival of the organism or the species. The second is social motive which comes
from learning and social interaction, includes the needs for affiliation, aggression, and achievement 1989: 374.
Furthermore, Abraham Maslow in Introduction of Psychology in Atkinson, Atkinson, and Hilgard, 1983: 317 stated that there is psychological motive. Security,
acceptance by and approval from those around us, feelings of self-worth and competency, and the search for new experiences are important part in psychological
motives, although the way in which they are satisfied varies with each individual and culture.
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Aesthetic needs: symmetry, order and
beauty
Cognitive needs: to know, understand, and explore
Esteem needs: to achieve, be competent, and gain approval and recognitions
Belongingness and love needs: to affiliate with others, be accepted, and belong
Safety needs: to feel secure and safe, out of danger Physiological needs: hunger, thirst, and so forth
Maslow proposed an interesting way of classifying human’s motives. Maslow constructed a Hierarchy of Needs, ascending from the basic biological needs to the
more complex psychological motives that become important only after the basic needs have been satisfied. As showed in the following pyramid.
self-actualization needs: to find self-fulfillment and realize one’s potential
Figure 11-1, in Atkinson, Atkinson, and Hilgard, 1983: 317
Maslow’s hierarchy provides an interesting way of looking at the relationships among human motives and the opportunities afforded by the environment. He also states that
people must struggle for their food, shelter, and safety in Atkinson, Atkinson, and Hilgard, 1983: 317. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs will be used in analyzing how the
idea of American Dream can become the motives of the characters. David C. Edwards in General Psychology 1969: 70-71 classifies motive into
three categories, there are: survival, social, and self. The survival motives are those 20
which are based on a psychological necessity or other condition of an individual which may directly affect the survival of that individual. The social motives are those
which require the presence or participation of another individual for their expression or instigation. The self motives are those which contribute towards the maintenance
of the concept of self or ego which each individual has personally developed. Edwards’ idea about motive also will be used in determining what category is the
motive of the character. According to Adler in Human Motivation in McClelland, 1985: 39,
everyone is motivated by desire to compensate for weakness. They want to look perfect in the eyes of other people. Every human being wants to have strong dignity
in front of other people and they do not want to be despised even though they know they have some weaknesses. Therefore, they do their best to be stronger even if it is
hard to do. In addition, McClelland states that one of human motives is the motive of achievement. He defines motive of achievement as a desire to be successful 1985:
46. From those theories of motivation and motive, it can be concluded that all
people usually have certain motive when they do something in their life because motive is the foundation of every action human beings do. As the example, a girl is
working hard to earn lots of money to buy a car. That girl has a motive to have a car by working hard and earning lots of money. In this case, her effort by working hard
can be categorized as her behavior and the process of earning lots of money is the 21