Theories of Motivation Flashcards
What are three process theories of motivation?
1) Vroom’s expectancy theory
2) Adam’s equity theory
3) Goal-setting theory
What is expectancy theory?
Claims that motivation is the combined result of three types of beliefs.
1) Expectancy
2) Instrumentality
3) Valence of Reward
What is expectancy?
Represents the belief that exerting a high level of effort will result in the successful performance of some task.
What is instrumentality?
The belief that successful performance will result in some outcome(s).
What is valence?
The anticipates value of outcomes associated with performance.
What is goal setting theory?
Views (self-set) goals as the primary drivers of motivation.
Task performance improves with higher difficulty goals.
Why do specific and difficult goals have such positive effects?
Goals determine the intensity of effort directed at goal-relevant activities, and they affect the persistence of effort over time.
What are the moderators of task performance?
1) Feedback
2) Task complexity
3) Goal commitment
What is Equity Theory?
Employees create a “mental ledger” of the outcomes (or rewards) they get from their job duties.
Compare outcomes and inputs to comparison other (person used as a frame of reference)
Ratio of outcomes to inputs is balanced between you and your comparison other.
What are the three possible outcomes of equity theory?
Equal - no action
Underreward inequity - grow your outcomes (stealing supplies) or shrink your inputs by putting in less effort
Overreward inequity - shrink your outputs (not likely) or grow your inputs
What is the goal of job design?
To identify the characteristics that make some tasks more motivating than others and to capture these characteristics in the design of jobs.
What is the job characteristics model?
Proposes that there are several “core” job characteristics that have a certain psychological impact on workers.
What are the five core job characteristics that affect worker motivation?
1) Skill Variety
2) Task Identity
3) Task Significance
4) Autonomy
5) Job Feedback
What are moderators?
Job-relevant knowledge and skill of the worker.
What is job enrichment?
The design of jobs to enhance intrinsic motivation, quality of working life, and job involvement.
