There are three theories or views that attempt to explain why humans do what they do: psychoanalytic theory, diversity theory, and humanistic theory (McAdams, 2006). These three theories may offer some insight and help in understanding the motivation behind the former New York Senator and Presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton's description of events surrounding her arrival in Bosnia in 1996. In March, 2008, Clinton made references during interviews with the Press about the danger she faced when landing in Bosnia during a trip as the First Lady (CNN, 2008). After some investigation, the video clips of her landing and visit to Bosnia show that Clinton clearly over dramatized and exaggerated the events and perhaps the danger she faced (2008). This leaves one to wonder why she would risk the bad publicity to "misspeak" about events that occurred during her husband's tenure as President of the United States (2008).
Freud's psychoanalytic theory of motivation proposes that behavior stems from the unconscious drives of aggression and sexuality (2006). According to Freud's theory, Clinton over-exaggerated the events in Bosnia because she was on the defensive from her campaign opponent's claim that she does not have as much experience in foreign and domestic policy as she claims to have (2008). So, Freud's psychoanalytic theory of motivation would surmise that Clinton's aggression toward her opponent drove her to over-dramatize events.
The diversity theory of motivation proposes behavior stems from humans who are motivated by a large diversity of things (McAdams, 2006). Henry Murray developed the most popular of diversity theories, known as Murray's Theory of Needs; Murray identified 20 fundamental psychogenic needs (2006). Among these lie needs that have intertwined to form a single purpose, also known as subsidization, a subsidiary need works to fulfill another need (2006). Using Murray's view, Clinton was aggressively attempting to demonstrate that she had the qualification necessary to exact foreign and domestic policies, contrary to her opponent's claim, in her aggressive need to become President, and Clinton was also demonstrating the need to avoid the harm or the pain that comes from political defeat, both for herself personally and for her political constituents and supporters.
The humanistic theory of motivation proposes that human are constantly struggling to become more self-determining and self-actualizing beings (McAdams, 2006). Abraham Maslow was an important cornerstone of humanistic personality theory, and he identified a hierarchy of needs in which humans continually strive for self-actualization (2006). The foundation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs was physiological needs (hunger, thirst, avoidance of pain, rest, and sexual release); physiological needs are followed in importance by the need for safety (housing, environmental safety, and safety from crime); if physiological and safety needs are met, then the human seeks to fulfill the need to belong and love (relationships); following the love and belonging needs are esteem needs (approval, achievement, and recognition); lastly, self-actualization needs (fulfillment of one's dreams, goals, and potential) are sought when the lower level of needs have been met (2006).
Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, specifically the esteem needs and self-actualization needs, make understanding Hillary Clinton's dramatization of past events easy to comprehend and understand. First, Clinton was seeking recognition for her diplomatic work and role in national policy during her years as the First Lady. Secondly, Clinton was attempting to realize her self-actualization needs as she has political aspirations of her own and the need to fulfill her own dreams and potential.
The psychoanalytic theory, diversity theory, and humanistic theory share some similarities and show a wide berth of differences; however, each offer a glimpse into the psyche, and allow one the opportunity to understand why humans act and react they way they do. While the motivations behind human behavior are varied and complex, being able to understand what motivates human behavior not only offers understanding, but also enables one to feel empathy and sympathy for the plight and needs of others.
Reference
CNN. (2008). Clinton says she 'misspoke' about sniper fire. Election Center 2008 CNN Politics. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/25/campaign.wrap/index.html
McAdams, D. (2006). The person: A new introduction to personality psychology. (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
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