Motivation

Motivation

the drive/force that gives purpose and direction to behaviour and operates in humans at a conscious or unconscious level

Components of motivation

Activation, persistence, intensity

Activation

The decision to initiate a behaviour

Persistence

Continued effort toward a goal, even though obstacles may exist

Intensity

Concentration and vigour that goes into pursuing a goal

Sources of motivation

Physiological, cognitions, emotional, social

Physiological

physical processes, hunger, thirst, sleep, sex etc, manifest themselves as physiological drives, become motives, necessary for survival and motivate most human behaviour

Cognitions

Motivation derived from cognitions, e.g intellectual challenges, due to intrinsic satisfaction they produce and the drive to satisfy curiosity and personal interests

Emotions

Emotional motivation can stem from trying to avoid pain and seeking happiness, e.g emotions that guide motivation like fear, anger, happiness

Social

Humans have the need to be with other people, drives people to develop social relationships and belong to groups

Self-determination theory

Deci and Ryan (2000)

Self-determination

A person's ability to make choices and manage their own life, critical in the development and use of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation

Self-determination theory assumptions

1. The need for growth drives behaviour, where gaining mastery over challenges is essential to develop a sense of self

2. Autonomous motivation, whereby we experience intrinsic motivation and gain knowledge and independence is important for a strong sense of self

Self-determination continuum

Amotivation, Extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation

Amotivation

Represents a lack of motivation that occurs when individuals feel no internal or external drive to engage in a particular behaviour. People become amotivated towards a behaviour when the environment does not allow for the behaviour to be carried out completely

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation that stems from a desire for external rewards and is a mean to an end. Reduces self-determination as there is minimal autonomy.

External regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, integrated regulation

External regulation

Where the intention is only to receive rewards or avoid punishments

Introjected regulation

External regulation that has been internalised, fulfilling obligations out of guilt or shame or to boost self-esteem (fear of judgement from others or yourself)

Identified regulation

Individuals engage in a behaviour because they identify with its value and perceive it as personally important (recognise it as valuable and personally important)

Integrated regulation

When individuals engage in behaviour out of identification and enjoyment but also for some personal gain, not just for pure enjoyment (behaviour aligns with individual's values and beliefs)

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation that stems from the incentive to engage in a specific activity that derives from pleasure in the activity itself rather than because of any external benefits that might be obtained, comes from need of individual to feel competent and self-determined

Psychological needs for motivation

Essential nutriment of motivations, individuals cannot strive without satisfying them all. Autonomy, competence, relatedness

Autonomy

When individuals feel that they have choices and can make decisions aligned with their interests and values/intrinsic motivation

Autonomy increased/decreased by

Increased by: providing choice and allowing individuals to express their preferences, respecting individuals' perspectives and acknowledged feelings, avoiding judgement.

Decreased by: Rewards, punishments, deadlines, judgement assessments

Competence

Refers to our need to develop new skills, learn new things and master the world around us

Self efficacy

Believing that we can all accomplish and share our goals

Competence increased/decreasedby

Increased by: Providing optimal challenges - specific goal that has one challenging enough, but not overwhelming. Providing positive performance feedback

Decreased by: Providing challenges that are too difficult, negative performance feedback

Relatedness

The need to feel belongingness and to feel connected with others

Relatedness increased/decrease

Increase: Genuine care, mutual response, safety and inclusivity

Decrease: competition, cliques and ostracisation

Strengths, Deci and Ryan

Large scale in its applications can be applied to all human behaviours and motivations

Universal in its application

Limitations, Deci and Ryan

Heavy focus on autonomy, other reasons for intrinsic motivation, not able to identify the individual differences in needs and motivation (different needs -> different motivation), does not show differences in motivation for different age groups