Motivation
Motivation is a psychological feature that arouses an organism
to act towards a desired goal and elicits, controls, and sustains certain goal
directed behaviors. It can be considered a driving force; a psychological one
that compels or reinforces an action toward a desired goal. For example, hunger
is a motivation that elicits a desire to eat.
Types of Motivation
Intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation refers to motivation that is driven by
an interest or enjoyment in the task itself, and exists within the individual
rather than relying on external pressures or a desire for reward.
Extrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivation refers to the performance of an activity
in order to attain an outcome, whether or not that activity is also
intrinsically motivated. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside of the
individual. Common extrinsic motivations are rewards (for example money or
grades) for showing the desired behavior, and the threat of punishment
following misbehavior. Competition is in an extrinsic motivator because it
encourages the performer to win and to beat others, not simply to enjoy the
intrinsic rewards of the activity.
Motivational Theories
The behavioral view of motivation
The most common version of the behavioral perspective on
motivation is the theory of operant conditioning associated with B. F. Skinner
(1938, 1957). Behaviorism is a theory of learning, but the same operant model
can be transformed into an account of motivation. In the operant model, you may
recall, a behavior being learned (the “operant”) increases in frequency or
likelihood because performing it makes a reinforcement available. To understand
this model in terms of motivation, think of the likelihood of response as the
motivation and the reinforcement as the motivator. Imagine, for example, that a
student learns by operant conditioning to answer questions during class
discussions: each time the student answers a question (the operant), the
teacher praises (reinforces) this behavior.
The social-cognitive view of motivation
Social cognitivists view motivation as product of
expectancies of individual to reach a goal and its value to him or her. If
either factor is zero, there will not be any motivation to reach the goal. For
example, if I believe I have a good chance of qualifying The National Quran
Competition and participating in the competition is very important for me, then
my motivation should be strongest. If either factor is zero (i-e if I believe I
have no chance of qualifying to the competition, or participating in the
competition is useless for me), then my motivation would be zero.
Cognitive view of motivation
Cognitive theories of motivation assume that behavior is
directed as a result of the active processing and interpretation of
information. Motivation is not seen as a mechanical or innate set of processes
but as a purposive and persistent set of behaviors based on the information
available. Expectations, based on past experiences, serve to direct behavior
toward particular goals, so goals, attributes, schemas and expectancies are the
main features contributing motivation and demotivation.
Maslow’s Theory of Motivation
Abraham Maslow’s theory is based on the concept that humans
have basic needs that need to be met before moving up the pyramid to the next
basic need, until eventually reaching ‘self-actualization’ as seen at the top
of the pyramid in the diagram to the right. Reaching ‘self-actualization’ means
the person can then trust, be creative, problem solve, and have a sense of
morality.
Five Stages of Needs Theory:
1.
Physiological Needs - The basic needs for survival have to be met,
such as food, water, sleep, and homeostasis. Without these basic needs one
cannot possibly think about anything else beyond how to survive.
2.
Safety - This stage includes feeling safe and secure; maybe the
person has some source of income, health, and a place to call home. If we do
not feel safe and secure, whether it be for bodily safety or safety of
resources, it is all consuming and hard to think of anything else in a
productive way.
3.
Love/belonging – The person has some sort of friendship, relationship with
family, or sexual intimacy. This is a feeling of belonging, which we all want
to feel and leads to the next step.
4.
Esteem – This need includes a good feeling of self-esteem and maybe
a sense of achievement, which results in a show of confidence, respect for
others, and respect by others. When humans feel good about themselves, they
worry less about what others think of them and start taking more chances.
5.
Self-actualization – The final stage encompasses an acceptance of facts,
a lack of prejudice, spontaneity, creativity, and the ability to problem solve.
This is the point in one’s life where people can see the potential in
themselves and act on
Reference
6.
PowerPoint presentation by Roza Ibrahim, COL – Maldives
National University
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