Lecture 6: Motivation [not finished] Flashcards
Define: motivation
the process that controls both the direction and strength of choice made by a person among alternative courses of action.
What are the 6 critical concepts of motivation
- Direction: positive or negative behavior change
- Intensity: magnitude of behavior change
- Quality: the quality of effort you put in
- Persistence: whether the behavior change is maintained or fleeting
- Behavior – action from which we infer motivation
- Performance – standard by which we measure behaviorr
Give the equation for performance
Performance = (motivation x ability) - situational constraints
Situational constraints: time, money, environment
Ability: skills or innate trains
Why motivate
in the workplace?
- Increase performance/production
- Engage in safe behaviors
- Participate in wellness programs
- Adhere to policies around EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion)
- Increase collegiality
- Facilitate team dynamics
- Increase organizational commitment
Describe Theory X and Theory Y. Who created this?
McGregor created theory X and theory Y
Theory X
– People are lazy, dislike work, avoid work
– Must be coerced, watched and scolded
– No ambition, prefer to be led, want dictatorial leader
Theory Y
– People are industrious, creative, seek challenges
– Want participation
– Prefer leaders who allow them to work toward
personal goals
What are the 3 classifications of behavioral theories
- Person as machine
– People’s behaviors & actions are reflexive & involuntary, performed without conscious awareness
– Pushed by internal needs
– Pulled by environmental stimuli - Person as judge
– Individual seeks information about extent person & others perceived
as responsible for positive & negative events
– Hypothesizes about foundation
for events & actions of others - Person as intentional
– Develops goals & plans
Define: genetics/heredity theory
Genetics/Heredity Theory: we are motivated by our own genetics and personality traits. Things that we are born with and don’t change over time
How are the following personality traits related (positively or negatively) to performance motivation
– Neuroticism consistently negatively related to
performance motivation
– Conscientiousness positively related to
performance motivation
– Internal Locus of Control positively related to
performance motivation
Describe the Maslow Hierarchy of needs
Created by Maslow. First to last: physiological, safety, social, self-esteem, self-actualization
Needs need to be accomplished from first to last.
Define: self actualization
Self actualization:
- the ability to perceive people and events accurately;
- The ability to remove oneself from the normal turmoil of life
- Ability to derive personal satisfaction from personal development in doing something worthwhile.
- An interest in the goals toward which they are working
- high degree of creativity in work
What are the critiques of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Not based on empirical research
- Studies have shown need not related to need deficiencies
- # of needs? are there more?
- Needs priority can change with time/ age?
- Needs can be concurrent
- Not useful for day-to-day behavior at work
Describe McClelland’s Learned Needs theory
- needs are acquired from the culture of society
- N Arch - need for achievement; individuals that want to attain goals (managers, supervisors, directors, executives)
- N Aff - need for affiliation; need to feel like belonging
- N Pow - need for power; need to have control and status
When a need is strong it motivates to use behavior leading toward satisfaction
What test tests for one’s needs at a given time?
Thematic apperception tests (TAT)
Define: reinforcement theory/behaviourism. Who came up with this and when?
Reinforcement theory/behaviourism: our behavior is changed by providing rewards
Skinners 1970
What are the 3 key variables in reinforcement theory or behaviourism?
- Stimulus: elicits a behavioural response
- Response: measure a job behaviour
- Reward: something of value
