Lecture 2- Motivation

Question 1

SMART goals

Answer 1

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant
• Timetable

Question 2

Positives of Non-specific goals

Answer 2

• Perceived as less difficult and more attainable
• Encourages adoption
• Less likely to evoke feelings of failure, which reduces goal abandonment

Question 3

Risks of Too Specific Goals

Answer 3

• People don’t deviate from goals (e.g. no creativity)
• Goals rarely are exceeded
• No sense of the bigger picture

Question 4

Cab Driver Rainy Day Shows what?

Answer 4

Example of when goals are too specific that drivers get tunnel vision and quit early because they met their target even though it would be an easy day to make a lot of money

Question 5

Distance to goals

Answer 5

• People work harder the closer they get to a target

* Motivate people by setting goals that are fairly proximate

Question 6

Ground covered or distance to finish line

Answer 6

• Early in the process, focus on ground covered

* Later in the process, focus on distance to end goal

Question 7

Positive feedback

Answer 7

• Enhances personal commitment
• Works best for those questioning their commitment to a task
– Example: Novices or people who are assigned a task (rather than self-selected into the task)

Question 8

Negative feedback

Answer 8

• Makes those who are committed to critically reflect on their own work
• Works best for those already committed to achieving a goal
– Example: Experts or people working on a task they are very committed to

Question 9

Intrinsic

Answer 9

anything that makes someone enjoy the task at hand more

Question 10

Extrinsic

Answer 10

rewards that have no effect on how enjoyable the task at hand is

Question 11

Immediate versus delayed Rewards

Answer 11

Immediate rewards motivate people more than delayed rewards → do not delay
rewards

Question 12

Good reward systems can be spoiled by

Answer 12

perceived unfairness
a lack of attention
follow-through
ability to deliver on promises.

Question 13

Goals- Key takeaway

Answer 13

• Motivate people by setting goals that are proximate (and attainable, but challenging)
• Early in the process, focus on ground covered; Later in the process focus on distance to finish line

Question 14

Feedback- Key takeaway

Answer 14

• Use positive feedback for those who are not fully committed yet
• Use negative feedback for those who are highly committed

Question 15

Rewards- Key takeaway

Answer 15

• Do not delay rewards
• Extrinsic incentives motivate newcomers
• Intrinsic incentives motivate those who have already started working towards a goal
Motivation is a continuous process – frequently reward, give feedback, etc

Question 16

Motivation is a continuous process

Answer 16

– frequently reward, give feedback, etc.