Motivation Flashcards
What is the definition of motivation?
Motivation is that which directs, energises and sustains behaviour.
What is the definition of intrinsic motivation?
Engaging in an activity for its inherent satisfaction and personal interest. It is driven by internal factors like curiosity and passion.
What is the definition of extrinsic motivation?
Engaging in an activity to attain an external outcome, like money.
What are the content theories of motivation vs. the process theories of motivation?
Content:
- Maslow
- McClelland
Process:
- Goal-setting theory
What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in order? (most -> least important)
Physiological Needs
Safety Needs
Social Needs
Esteem Needs
Self-actualisation
What is the definition of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
Maslow believed that people have needs that must be met in order to motivate them, which he ordered based on importance. The physiological needs, which he ranked most important, must be met no matter what. The rest of the needs are then approached, where the employee strives to find new ways to fulfill them, improving themselves in as many fields as possible. This disregards a key issue many managers face where the employee is demotivated when their needs are met (Maslow, 1943, 1970).
How are ways each need can be met?
Physiological -> money/good work conditions
Safety -> work practices and pensions
Social -> formation of work teams
Esteem -> Recognition, reward structures
Self-actualisation -> Creative and challenging tasks
What are the features of Maslow’s? (to use in essay)
- It is popular in practice and has a good overview
- Unknown time span for the hierarchy
- Not all people have the same needs
- Is it possible to go down the hierarchy (a less important need is met where an important one isn’t)
What is the definition of McClelland’s motivational needs theory?
McClelland believed that an employee’s motivation is influenced by three main needs: achievement, affiliation and power (McClelland, 1961).
How does Achievement motivate employees?
Motivates employees who gain satisfaction by working on tasks and succeeding through mastery and hard work. Most related to career success (Spangler, 1992).
How does Affiliation motivate employees?
Motivates employees who are driven through social contact and working with others. They care about others’ opinions and want to be accepted by them.
How does Power motivate employees?
Motivates employees who want to influence and teach others. They strive for status and holding positions of power.
How is a motivational approach created?
No employee falls perfectly into one of these needs, as they are interconnected. All employees have some measurement of each of these needs. Therefore, a manager must understand their employee’s needs to create a motivational approach for them.
What is the definition of the goal-setting theory?
Involves setting specific and difficult goals to improve motivation and achieve high performance results (Locke & Latham, 1990).
How does setting goals affect performance?
They provide direction and increase persistence, allowing individuals to develop strategies/action plans. Achieving goals leads to satisfaction and the willingness to commit to new challenges.
What are the features of the goal-setting theory?
- Strong meta-analytic and empirical support
- Clear approach in different contexts, like appraisal
- Static view of motivation
- Where do the goals come from
- Relate to university
Good conclusion sentence
Given, your ability to perform and an environment which allows you to perform, motivation determines whether you will do it or not (Muchinsky, 2006).
