Content Theories - week 2 Flashcards
Name 4 early content theories of motivation.
Maslow’s Need Hierarchy, Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory, McClelland’s Acquired Needs Theory, Alderfer’s ERG Theory
Name 4 process theories of motivation.
Vroom’s Expectancy Theory (or VIE Theory), Adam’s Equity Theory, Locke & Latham’s Goal Setting Theory, Reinforcement Theory
What are the 3 basic psychological needs in SDT, and what do they result in when satisfied?
Autonomy, competence, relatedness. When all are strong, intrinsic motivation will be strong.
What are the four types of regulatory styles within extrinsic motivation in SDT? (And which mini theory does this come from?)
From least to most autonomous: External regulation, introjected regulation (the regulation controls the person - self-esteem or social values which pressure people to behave in a certain way to feel worthy), identified regulation (people identify with the value of a behaviour for their own self-selected goals), integrated regulation (extrinsic motivation to be truly autonomous or volitional, involves the integration of an identification with other aspects of oneself; the activity becomes habitual and part of the person’s sense of self)
Organismic integration theory
What is the difference between autonomous and controlled motivation?
Autonomous motivation = intrinsic motivation & fully internalised extrinsic motivation (engaged with an activity with a full sense of willingness & choice).
Controlled motivation = externally and internally controlled extrinsic motivation.
(Deci, Olafsen & Ryan, 2017)
What is the difference between content theories and process theories?
Content theories argue that we “direct and sustain our behaviour towards unmet needs”.
Process theories consider ‘how’ one is motivated, by exploring the mental processes we undertake in order to determine how much effort we are willing to make.
(Dictionary of Org Behaviour, 2019)
What are the three main motivators proposed by Acquired Needs Theory?
McClelland, 1950s -
Need for achievement (NAch)
Need for affiliation (NAff)
Need for power (NPow)
Summarise Motivation-Hygiene Theory
Late 1950s, Herzberg – Two Factor Motivation Hygiene Theory, distinguishes between hygiene factors and motivators. Idea that factors which lead to dissatisfaction are distinct from factors which lead to satisfaction in a job - the factors are unidirectional (motivators lead to motivation, but their absence doesn’t cause demotivation; absence of hygiene factors leads to demotivation but their presence doesn’t cause motivation. (Literature suggests it’s not quite as clear cut)
What was Alderfer’s ERG theory?
Alderfer, 1969 – ERG theory, condenses Maslow’s 5 levels of need into 3 levels: existence (essential & practical needs), relatedness (love, friendship, social interaction), growth (development, knowledge, creativity). Hierarchical, but more than one need may motivate at the same time. Frustration-regression principle: if higher levels remain unfilled then individuals may regress to lower need levels that appear easier to satisfy.
More consistent than Maslow w empirical findings, but ‘growth’ may not motivate all people.
Give an overview of self-determination theory.
Deci & Ryan, 1985 (this was the beginnings, but developed inductively - still adding to the literature)
People have ‘basic psychological needs’ for autonomy, competence & relatedness - these are universal, and important for psychological health. Intrinsic motivation is strongest when all three are satisfied.
Splits motivation into autonomous & controlled.
Steers et al 2004 suggested that the two types of motivation can be integrated, which leads to three different types of extrinsic motivation: introjected, identified, integrated.
What is cognitive evaluation theory?
Cognitive evaluation theory (CET), Amabile et al – built on SDT, developed to explain the effects of external consequences on internal motivation. Addresses the factor that explains variations in intrinsic motivation, positing that people will be more intrinsically motivated when they feel that their autonomy is supported, but when they feel controlled or that their behaviour is driven by external rewards, their intrinsic motivation will decrease.
Give an overview of Posner & Munson’s work on values.
Posner & Munson, 1979 – part of a larger discourse on how values influence behaviour and motivation, esp in the context of organisational behaviour and leadership. Define values as enduring beliefs that a specific mode of conduct or end state is personally or socially preferable. These beliefs act as criteria that guide the actions, judgements and attitudes of an individual or group. People are motivated to act in ways that are congruent with their personal values and avoid actions that are conflicting – can be a powerful motivator as they are enmeshed w the individual’s identity.
What are the key features of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
- 5 universal, instinctual human needs arranged in a hierarchy: deficiency needs (physiological, safety, belongingness), growth needs (esteem, self-actualisation)
- Pre-potency: each lower order needs must be satisfied before the next highest can motivate (except self-actualisation - gratification leads to a stronger need for self-actualisation - Maslow 1965)
- McGregor (1960) extended Maslow’s theory to work (Maslow was sceptical about its application to work)
- Has been extended to include cognitive needs and aesthetic needs, and Maslow added ‘transcendence’ above self-actualisation (spirituality, selflessness)
What is the Proximal-Distal Heuristic Framework?
Kanfer’s 1992 early endeavour integrating theories (control theory, goal setting theory, expectancy theory, equity theory, achievement motivation) into a single framework.
Suggests that individuals can more effectively regulate their behaviour by setting proximal (short term – immediate targets, easy to achieve, provide frequent reinforcement/feedback essential to maintaining motivation) goals that lead progressively toward distal (long term – overarching, end state) goals, can help individuals stay motivated and track their progress. The ‘heuristic’ (flexible) part of the framework implies that this is not a strict rule, but a guideline that can facilitate self-regulation and goal attainment over the longer term.
What is control theory?
Glasser, 1985
Premise: behaviour is inspired by what people want or need, as they aim to control the world to meet these needs and wants.
Assumptions: people have the power to control their own lives, choices influence life’s outcomes.
Key tenet: feedback - helps individuals evaluate their actions and guide future behaviour
Limitations: challenges identifying and measuring the controls, individual diffs in desired control levels
