Motivation Flashcards
What is motivation?
- The cognitive decision making process through which goal directed behaviour is initiated, energised, directed and maintained (H and b,2013)
- The forces that drive people to act in particular ways (Gabriel, 2008)
How it the basic concept of motivation outlined?
Through a stimulus, a response and an outcome
What is the stimulus in terms of the concept of motivation?
- Psychological needs
- Want, desires, emotional, social needs
What is the response in terms of the concept of motivation?
- Behaviour
- E.g if stimulus is thirst, the behaviour would be to drink enough
What is the outcome in terms of the concept of motivation?
- Satisfy need/failure to satisfy need
- Attain wants/needs, fail to attain satisfaction
Why do we study motivation?
Organisations need a motivated workforce in order to be successful, achieve their goals, grow etc
In challenging economic conditions, motivation is important.
Helps avoid bore out, burn out and fosters engagement and commitment
What are the three types of motivation theories?
- Content (or need)
- Process
- Job enrichment
What are content theories?
They focus on the desired goals and motives e.g Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Alderfer’s ERG Theory
What are the process theories?
They explore/explain decision processes
e.g Adam’s Equity Theory, Locke’s Goal Setting Theory, Vroom’s Expectancy Theory
What are job enrichment theories?
They align work with organisational goals through social processes e.g Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory
What does Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs assume?
- Low levels need to be satisfied to move up to higher levels
- Human beings want to move up the hierarchy
- Everyone strives for self actualisation
- Still influential today for management practice
What are the criticisms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
- Some people may be deprived of lower level needs but still strive for self actualisation
- Lack of cause and effect between need and behaviour
- People not always aware of their needs
- Measurement of satisfaction of needs not possible
What did Ed Diener (2011) find about the HoN across cultures?
- 155 countries between 2005-2010
- Looked at food, shelter, money, social support, respect and emotions
- The needs described in the theory appeared to be universal
- The order wasn’t important
What is Alderfer’s ERG Theory?
Expands on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs based on empirical research (1966-1989), he focuses on three needs existence needs, related needs and growth needs
What are the existence needs from Alderfer’s ERG theory?
The desire for physiological and material well being
What are the relatedness needs from Alderfer’s ERG theory?
The desire for satisfying interpersonal relationships