MOTIVATION

Meaning of Motivation

An internal state or condition, sometimes

described as a need, desire, or want that
serves to activate or energize behavior and
give it direction.

Importance of Motivation

Motivation is always present in order to

compel action; to set a goal and to drive
individual to try and attain that goal.

Whether the goal is actually attainable or

not is irrelevant, motivations still exist to
compel individuals to try and attain their
goals.

Theories of
Motivation

Maslows Hierarchy of
Needs

Our needs are prioritized.

Needs at the lower levels had to be satisfied

before one could focus on satisfying needs
at the higher levels.

Hierarchy of
Needs/Motive
s
In 1943, Abraham
Maslow proposed
that humans strive
to ensure that basic
needs are satisfied
before they find
motivation to pursue
goals that are higher
on this hierarchy.

Magda Arnolds Theory

Three Components of Motivation
Direction what a person is trying to
do.
Effort how hard a person is trying.
Persistence how long a peron keeps
on trying.

Factors that influence motivation:

1. Intrinsic self-generated
2.

Extrinsic- motivation coming from the

people around the individual.

Social Motives

Motives acquired through experience and

interaction with others (McClelland, Murray)
Need for achievement (n Ach)
The need to accomplish something difficult and to
perform at a high standard of excellence

Need for affiliation

The need to have harmonious relationships with other
people and to be accepted by others

Need for power

Personal want to direct others
Institutional want to organize efforts of others to meet
the needs of the institution

McClellands Needs

1.

2.

3.

3 most important needs:

Achievement need for competitive
success measured against a personal
standard of excellence.
Affiliation Need for warm, friendly
relationships with others.
Power Need to control and influence
others.

Need for Achievement

Characteristics of achievers
High n Ach

pursue goals that are challenging, yet attainable

through hard work, ability, determination, and
persistence
see their success as a result of their own talents,
abilities, persistence, and hard work

Low n Ach

not willing to take chances when it comes to

testing their own skills and abilities
when fail, usually give up quickly

Need for Achievement

Parents can foster n Ach

give children responsibilities
teach them to think and act independently from
the time they are very young
stress excellence, persistence, and
independence
praise them sincerely for their accomplishments

Expectancy Theory (Victor Vroom)

Motivation to engage in a given activity

is determined by:
Expectancy a persons belief that more effort
will result in success
Instrumentality the persons belief that there
is a connection between activity and goal
Valence the degree to which a person values
the results of success

Motivation = Expectancy *
Instrumentality * Valance

Work Motivation
The conditions and processes responsible
for the arousal, direction, magnitude, and
maintenance of effort one puts forth in
ones job
Two of the most effective ways to
improve

reinforcement
goal setting

Work Motivation

Examples of reinforcement in the

workplace include:

Recognition awards
Praise
Posting of individual performance
Time off
Better offices
More impressive titles
Promotions
Bonuses

Work Motivation

Goal setting
Have employees participate in the goal setting
Make goals specific, attractive, difficult, and
attainable
Provide feedback on performance
Reward employees for attaining the goals

HomeostaticTheories

Organisms attempt to maintain homeostasis,

the balance of physiological state or
equilibrium by constantly adjusting themselves
to the demands of the environment.
The process of homeostasis starts when an
individual activates a need, a biological
requirement for survival. This pushes or pulls
the organism out of homeostasis because of
the absence of a need. This imbalance then
causes a psychological state of arousal which
is uncomfortable and is called a drive.

 Types

of Drives

a) primary drive innate drives; resulting

from biological needs.
b) secondary drives resulting from
operant conditioning and the association
with primary reinforcements.

Classification of Motives
1. Physiological Motives
ex: need for hunger, need for thirst, need for
sleep and rest, need for proper elimination of
waste, need for maintaining proper body
temperature, sex urges

2. Psychological Motives
ex: affection, security & safety, affiliation,
status, dependency, social approval

3. Ego-Integrative Motives
ex: recognition, power drive, achievement