Motivation

Page |1

Motivation
Cohen (1990) motivation is something that drives people
to do what they do.

Definnition

Motivation is defined as conditions within the organism

which arouse, maintain and direct behaviour towards a
specific goal.

In public speaking motivation is defined as

communicating to an internal force that actuates a
behavioral pattern, thought process, action or reaction.
Negative forces or positive forces can act as actuators.

Intrinsic or Extrinsic

These forces can be either intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic is

when the force comes from within oneself. Extrinsic is
when the external forces, positive or negative, produce a
behavioral change.

Definition of Motivation of the Extrinsic Kind

Extrinsic motivation would include circumstances,

situations, rewards or punishment, both tangible and
intangible that participation in results in an external
benefit.

Tangible benefits could include monetary reward or a

prize. Intangible could include things like adoration,
recognition, and praise.
Vince Augustine
 Definition of Motivation of the Intrinsic Kind

Intrinsic motivation would include involvement in

behavioral pattern, thought process, action, activity or
reaction for its own sake and without an obvious
external incentive for doing so. A hobby is an example.

If you are desirous of mastering public speaking for the

sake of mastery and not any reward, you have
experienced intrinsic motivation.

Types of Motives
There are three kinds of motives-

Sources of Motivational Needs

teresting point. You can position the text box anywhere in th
• increase/decrease stimulation (arousal)

Biological • activate senses (taste, touch, smell, etc)

• decrease hunger, thirst, discomfort, etc.

 Motivation
Page |3

• maintain homeostasis, balance

• increase/decrease affective dissonance

• increase feeling good

• decrease feeling bad

Affective
• increase security of threats or of self-
esteem

• maintain levels of optimism and

enthusiasm

• maintain attention to something interesting

or threatening

• develop meaning or understanding

• increase/decrease cognitive disequilibrium;

Cognitive uncertainty

• solve a problem or make a decision

• figure something out

• eliminate threat or risk

Conative • meet individually developed/selected goal

• obtain personal dream

• take control of one's life

Vince Augustine
 • eliminate threats to meeting goal,
obtaining dream

• reduce others' control of one's life

• elicited by stimulus associated/connected

to innately connected stimulus

Behavioral • obtain desired, pleasant consequences

(rewards)

• imitate positive models

• understand purpose of one's life

Spiritual
• connect self to ultimate unknowns

Theories of Motivation

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

motivational model
Abraham Maslow developed the Hierarchy of Needs
model in 1940-50's USA, and the Hierarchy of Needs
theory remains valid today for understanding human
motivation, management training, and personal
development.

1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink,

shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc.

2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order,

law, limits, stability, etc.
 Motivation
Page |5

3. Belongingness and Love needs - work group, family,

affection, relationships, etc.

4. Esteem needs - self-esteem, achievement, mastery,

independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial
responsibility, etc.

5. Self-Actualization needs - realising personal potential,

self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak
experiences

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ca be represented with a

model.

Vince Augustine
McClelland’s Need for Achievement Theory (Theory of
needs)

This theory was developed by David McClelland and his

associates. The theory focuses on the three needs :
achievement, power, and affiliation.

Two factor theory

It is also called motivation-hygiene theory. This theory was
proposed by Frederick Herzberg. A theory that relates intrinsic
factors to job satisfaction, while associating extrinsic factors
with dissatisfaction.

Motivation and Nurse

• The nurse has to remember that motives are at work in
 Motivation
Page |7

the lives of the patients, colleagues and her own daily

relationships.

• Understanding own motives and motives of the patient

will help the nurse to improve the nurse patient
relationship.

• Nurse should understand the need for satisfaction of the

primary needs. Eg. Need for proper food and water,
non-polluted fresh air, rooms should not so congested
etc.

• The knowledge of motivation will help her to

understand herself and others especially patients.

• She should understand that the history shared by the

patient is completely confidential.

• She should correlate the psychological factors with the

age of the patient and understand that each and every
age group is different.

• A nursing superintendent must reward the good nursing

care given by staff nurse so that she is motivated to
work harder.

Vince Augustine