3 | Motivation and rewards Flashcards
Definition of motivation
a reason/s for acting or behaving in a certain way. Involves the biolgical, emotional, social and cognitive forces that activate bhv. It is the driving force behind human actions
What is the Instrumentality theory?
“people only work for money” (Taylor, 1911)
Money can motivate, but it’s not the only motivator
–> satisfies the basic needs for survival, security, self-esteem and status
–> lack of it causes dissatisfaction but money does not result in lasting satisfaction
What do content theories focus on? And what are the 3 content theories?
Focus on what motivates people at work
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
- Herzberg’s two-factor theory
- McClelland’s acquired needs theory
What do process theories focus on? What are the 3 process theories?
Focus on how the content of motivation influences behaviour.
These theories assume people have thought processes based on their rational calculations, beliefs and perceptions, and examine how these thought processes lead to de/motivation => influences bhv and effort
- Vroom’s Expectancy theory
- Locke and Latham’s Goal Setting theory
- Adam’s Equity theory
What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs (1943) about?
The idea is that: people can’t pursue higher-order self-actualization needs, like creativity, growth, or meaning, unless lower-order needs (like physical and financial security needs) have been met.
- Lower-level needs take precedence over higher-level needs
- Organizations need to acknowledge that before asking workers to pursue higher- order achievements, they need to help them meet their basic needs
What are the 5 stages in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (in order of low-high level)
- Physiological - food, water, warmth; basic needs
- Safety needs - security, safety; free from threat of danger, pain or uncertain future
- Social/belongingness and love needs - intimate relationships, friends; need to bond with other human beings, form attachments
- Esteem needs - prestige and feeling f accomplishment; desire to be respected
- Self-actualization - achieving one’s potential, including creative activities; bcoming all you are capackle of becoming; desire to acquire new skills, take on challenges; bhv that leads to attaining life goals
Criticism of Maslow’s theory
- There is no proper way to measure how satsfied one level of need must be before the next higher need becomes operative.
- Also does not consider the probability of cultural differences as it assumes that the same needs apply equally to all human cultures
What does Herzberg’s Two Factor theory (1966) state?
Satisfaction and dissatisfaction in work are created by different factors.
Motivating factors = things that have the ability to make individuals SATISFIED at work –> these factors are intrinsic to the job
–> contribute to MOTIVATION
Hygiene factors = things whose absense has the ability to make individuals UNSATISFIED at work
–> contribute to DISSATISFACTION
Herzberg suggests that you can have highly motivated but dissatisfied workers, and you can also have satisfied but unmotivated workers
What are some things that are considered hygiene factors
- company policy
- supervision and rels
- working conditions
- salary
- safety
- security
- status
(*4Ss+rcw)
What are some motivating factors?
Achivement
Recognition
Interesting work - the work itself
Increased responsibilities
Advancement and growth opps
(*AARII - like a name)
What is a criticism of Herzberg’s Two-factor theory?
the methodology was flawed - specificially the sample was limited to engineers and accountants; the theoru is not conclusive bc the pros/white collar workers may like respnsibility but the regular worker is motivated by pay and other benefits
What is McClelland’s Acquired Needs Thoery (1961) about?
Developed on the back of Maslow’s Hierarchy - more interested in the higher order needs
- proposes that the higher order needs are not innate but acquired over time - through family rels, personal experiences, and cultural expectations
- the theory assumes that ppl have diff needs, and that managers must understand how to identify and meet individual needs
What are the 3 needs in McClelland’s theory?
- Need for achievement - focus on success, on the goals; merits-based orgs/roles, reward performance rather than seniority
- Need for affiliation - want to be liked and accepted, prefer interaction w others, harmonious interpersonal rels
- Need for power - influence other ppl and control their environment
What is a criticism of McClelland’s Acquired needs theory?
has less practical effects than other theories - the 3 needs are subconcious so measuring them is not very easy
What is Vroom’s Expectancy theory (1964)?
Individuals ask themselves 3 questions on:
1 - expectancy = belief that one’s efforts can produce the required level of performance
* goals being met?
2 - instrumentalities = belief that attaining the required level of performance will result in the outcome
* reward?
3 - valence = belief in the value of the outcome
–> if desirable - pos valence; vice versa
* reward worth the effort?
