Lilo and Stitch Summary
A little girl who is being raised by her older sister adopts a ‘dog’ unaware that this ‘dog’ is actually an alien science experiment seeking refuge on Earth. The story follows the girl, Lilo, her sister, Nani, and the ‘dog’, Stitch, as Stitch unlearns his inherent destructive behaviors and learns what family truly means.
Motivation Theories
Drive Reduction Theory
Drive Reduction Theory is the theory that our biological needs motivate us as we want to maintain homeostasis. This is shown when Stitch changes his physical appearance in the dog pound so that Lilo will adopt him. He knows if Lilo adopts him he will be safe from harm and will have his biological needs met. He knows he will be able to easily maintain homeostasis if he goes home with Lilo.
Arousal Theory
Arousal theory is the theory that we are motivated by the want to feel stimulated or excited. This is shown in the scene where Stitch goes surfing. The first time he goes surfing he is at first terrified but then he feels the rush of adrenaline and is really excited. Later in this scene he drags the surf board to Lilo insinuating that he wants to go again. He is searching to feel that same adrenaline rush he felt the first time they went.
Instinct Theory
Instinct theory is the theory that we are motivated by our innate behaviors. Stitch is an example of this in the first half of the movie. Stitch was made with the innate behavior to destroy everything he touches. He shows this by creating a scene of San Fransico and then acting like Godzilla he goes through and destroys the whole scene he had just created. Destroying is his instinct so he does just that.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is the idea that we are motivated by our needs, but not all of our needs are equal. This is shown throughout the movie. Stitch first gets his physiological needs met when he is adopted by Lilo. Lilo feeds him, and gives him shelter. Then his safety needs are met because Lilo keeps him safe from any danger that may come towards him. Then his love and belonging needs are met by Lilo because Lilo invites him to be in their small but very loving family. Stitch meets his self esteem needs by slowly becoming less destructive and feeling accomplished by becoming a better ‘dog’ or member of society. This allows him to reach his full potential and reach self actualization. He becomes very loving, not as destructive, and a functioning member of society.
Emotion Theories
James-Lange
The James-Lange theory is the theory that physical changes happen first and that leads to the experience of emotion. An example of this is when Stitch performs as Elvis for the people at the beach. He first experiences the physiological sensation of having cameras flash in his face and people cheer for him and then he experiences the emotion of anger, or stress.
Cannon-Bard
The Cannon-Bard theory is the theory that we feel the emotion at the same time as the physiological sensation takes place. An example of this is when Lilo sprays Stitch with water when she is trying to teach him how to fetch. Stitch experiences the water being sprayed on him at the same time as he feels angry for being sprayed.
Two Factor
Two Factor theory is the theory that emotion is based on two factors, the first being the physiological sensation and the second being the cognitive label. Stitch first feels the physiological sensation of dancing and then the cognitive label of being happy or having fun.
Social Motivation
Achievement
Achievement motivation is the idea that someone will choose something they know they can achieve but something that also challenges them. This is shown when Jumba chooses to go out and try to capture Stitch. He knows that it will be difficult but not so difficult that he will not be able to capture Stitch.
Intrinsic
Intrinsic motivation is the motivation to get an internal reward or satisfaction. An example of this would be when Lilo does her dance group. She does this not because she wants praise but instead because she knows she will get internal satisfaction. We can see this from the quote, “I just wanna dance, I practiced, I just wanna dance, I practiced”.
Extrinsic
Extrinsic motivation is motivation caused by an external reward such as money or praise. An example of this would be when Stitch builds a sand castle to show to Nani, David, and Stitch. He does this so that he will get praise from them.