What is Motivation?

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Motivation: What is motivation?

What drives our behaviour? What makes us choose one thing over another? What makes us do certain things?  Ultimately it is motivation which is our key driving force.  It is a psychological process which dictates our actions.  We maybe motivated to do a particular thing, conversely we maybe unmotivated to do something.  Motivation can be classed as ones desire or drive to attain or achieve a certain aim or goal.  Cox (1996, p88) states, ‘Motivation, of one kind or another, is responsible for most of our thoughts, emotions and deeds.’

Is there a purpose to our every action?  Throughout we shall explore how motivation plays a part in our lives, and what it is, and consider motivation in the business environment.  We all as individuals have certain wants and needs, some are essential for everyday life, others less critical, though we carry out tasks to satisfy a certain need or drive.  Trying to arrive at a distinct definition of what motivation actually is can be a little tricky, Sharp (1992, p130), argues that motivation is very difficult to define because it is, ‘inextricably bound up with attitudes, feelings, expectations, needs and emotions.’  It is therefore such an individual process that a general definition will suffice.  A dictionary definition classifies motivation as, ‘an enthusiasm or determination to do something; the need or reason for doing something.’ (Cambridge Dictionaries Online).

Generally we say that a person driven to action by internal or external forces is motivated.  The things that drive them are motives, which are orientated toward achieving some goal.  We all goal set to some degree, either consciously or unconsciously.  All our everyday decisions are based on our drive to accomplish a particular objective.  Simply getting out of bed in the morning requires a certain drive, ‘I must get up and go to work, this in order to earn a wage, which will provide me with the means to cloth feed and house oneself.’

Motivation itself cannot be observed, but is inferred from a person’s behaviour.  The most fundamental drives are those that are derived from our physiology and chemistry.  These basic drives include the need for food and water warmth, shelter sex, etc.  We shall discuss these ideas further with reference to Maslow’s works later.

We can break motivation into two specific categories, firstly Intrinsic motivation, this can be described as motivation coming from within the person.  Biddle (1989, p61) describes this as,

  ‘Drive or motive from within the person; doing something for its own sake rather than for external reward.’

Intrinsic motivation includes the internal drive to perform well at a particular task, for example a college course.  It could be pursued purely for its own sake, pleasure and enjoyment.  The achievement of a personal goal, ‘I’m going to pass this test,’ a personal accomplishment.  (It maybe that those who are intrinsically motivated strive towards success and self fulfilment).

Secondly we can consider Extrinsic motivation, this being motivation as a result of our surrounding environment, which involves the rewards and benefits of performing a particular task.  This aspect of motivation is derived from other people in the form of positive and negative re-enforcements.  Example of extrinsic motivation can be tangible rewards, such as cups, certificates, medals, material gain essentially.  (Non)-intangible rewards can include praise, respect, public recognition, and even fame.

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In a school setting, a students intrinsic motivators maybe a sense of self worth and achievement.  Extrinsic motivation comes into the fore when a student is compelled to perform or act a certain way because of factors external to them, like a good grade or even financial enticement.  ‘Because students are not always internally motivated, they sometimes need situated motivation, which is found in environmental conditions that the teacher creates.’ (Wikipedia 2009).  An example of this may include the incentive of going early if they perform to a certain level.  It is a useful tool in persuading pupils to ...

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