Motivation

What is Motivation?
Motivation is derived from the Latin word ‘movere’ which means ‘to move’, ‘to
energize’, or ‘to activate’. It refers to psychological processes that cause the arousal
direction, and persistence of voluntary actions that are goal directed. The processes
that account for an individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward
attaining a goal. Motivation refers to the process by which a person’s efforts are
energized directed and sustained towards attaining a goal. It embodies any kind
of forces acting within a person that push a person to behave in a specific, goal-
directed manner.

Characteristics Of Process Of Motivation:

• It is psychological process concerned with individuals
• It is complex and difficult to predict due to individual differences. It leads to
different patterns of behavior
• It is a continuous process. It is pervasive at all levels of management
• It is an internal drive that activates behavior and gives direction
• It is having the desire and willingness to do something
• Motivation is a temporal and dynamic state It involves effort to achieve need and
goals. It is action oriented.
• It can be positive if based on incentive for better performance. It can be negative if
based on punishment and poor performance.
• It can be extrinsic if generated by external incentives and intrinsic if self
generated.

Implications Associated with This Definition:

Behavior is purposive rather than random
- People exhibit both positive (work done on time) and negative (arrive late for work)
behavior for a reason
Motivation arouses people to do something
- People are unlikely to change a behavior or do something different unless they are
motivated to do so
Motivation causes people to focus on a desired result or goal
Motivation fuels the persistence needed to exhibit sustained effort on a task

Three key elements are necessary for motivation:

I. Energy
The energy element is a measure of intensity or drive. A motivated person puts
forth effort and works hard, however the quality of effort must also be considered.
it is related to intensity (how hard a person tries).

II. Direction
Direction: (toward beneficial goal) High levels of effort do not necessarily need to
favorable job performance unless the effort is channeled in a direction that
benefits the organization or the individual.
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 III. Persistence
Persistence: (how long a person tries) Effort that is directed toward and consistent
with goals is the kind of effort we want from individuals. Finally, motivation
includes a persistence dimension. We want the person to persist in putting forth
effort to achieve those goals.

Two types of motivation:

INTRINSIC MOTIVATION: if self-generated. When the source of the motivation is
from within the person himself/herself or the activity itself.
EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION: if generated by external incentives. When that which
motivates a person is someone or something outside himself/herself.

TYPE OF MOTIVATION WHICH IS MORE BENEFICIAL:

 Intrinsic motivation is more beneficial than extrinsic motivation.
 Intrinsic motivation is evident when people engage in an activity for its own sake,
without some obvious external incentive present

THE ROLE OF INTRINSIC MOTIVATION

 It is expected, however, that these extrinsic motivational
factors be gradually replaced internal motivation.
Hopefully the students develop the genuine love for learning and becomes
intrinsically motivated in the process.

THE ROLE OF EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION:

 Extrinsic motivation is necessary to develop the love for learning among poorly
motivated students.
External motivation can be in the form of rewards or incentives.
We may begin employing extrinsic motivation at the start but this should fade away
as the students get intrinsically motivated themselves.

Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs Theory:

Maslow Argues that each levels in needs hierarchy must be substantially satisfied
before the next need becomes dominant.
 An individual moves up the needs hierarchy from one level to the next.
 He considered psychological and safety needs(lower order needs)
 He considered social, esteem, self actualization needs (higher order needs)
 Lower order needs are predominantly satisfied externally
 Higher order needs are satisfied internally

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Lower-end needs are the priority needs, which must be satisfied before higher-order
need are activated.
 Needs are satisfied in sequence.
 When a need is satisfied, it declines in importance and the next need becomes
dominant.
 To motivate an individual one must know where that person is in the hierarchy and
focus on satisfying at or above that level.

Tips for Motivating individuals (students, workers,..etc)

1. Thank individuals for good job
2. Listen to people
3. Give feedback
4. Use rewards system
5. Keep them informed
6. Allow for input
7. Training opportunities
8. Remember important dates
9. Have and abide by policies
10. Celebrate goal accomplishment