Motivation is both a psychological and a physiological process. To motivate means to give incentive to. There are many factors that can increase motivation. Increases in motivation can lead to changes within the brain. In particular the structures known as the Hypothalamus and the Limbic system. These changes extend their influence to other parts of the brain and to the rest of the body through the endocrine system. This is a system of chemical messengers that can have measurable effect on the performance of an individual.
It is generally agreed that motivation is experienced at two main levels. These are the primary level which is the desire to satisfy basic demands such as oxygen, food, water etc, and the secondary level which include social needs etc. An individual would only satisfy secondary needs when primary needs are satisfied (in general).
Changes in the levels of motivation can be very subtle and can be the result of the sum of several influences rather than one. These influences can be either external or internal.
Most people have experienced changes in ‘drive’, in the motivation to carry out some task. Sometimes the changes in motivation arise from a switch from secondary needs to primary needs. This may occur when the body needs food or sleep for instance. Other changes seem to arise from the way external events trigger internal brain activity. The motivation to perform well at a certain task may suddenly change when it becomes known that ones best friend is seriously ill. This change is often strongly felt. Why does this happen?
Those who make a living from motivating others have made some interesting observations. For instance:
Other less direct questions that arise from motivational issues are:
It is believed that human motivation is driven by a set of needs. These needs are arranged in a hierarchy with the most fundamental at the base. When the most basic needs are satisfied, then the individual can begin to satisfy higher needs. It is not necessary for complete satisfaction of basic needs before higher level needs can become motivators. There is overlap such that when most of the basic need is satisfied then a little of the next higher level need can become a motivator. However, individuals with extreme hunger are unlikely to be motivated by scientific endeavor.
Maslow's
hierarchy theory provides several layers of motivational influences. Elements
that are more fundamental motivational influences must be satisfied before
next level elements become motivators. i.e. intellectual fulfillment is unlikely
to become a motivator if extreme thirst remains an unsatisfied motivator.
McGregor proposed that supervisors may hold one of two opposing beliefs about motivation, affecting their treatment of staff.
Herxenberg suggested that there are motivators that increase a persons job satisfaction. These include achievement, recognition, the work itself, responsibility advancement and growth.
He also suggested the existence of Hygiene Factors that act as demotivators. These include company policy, supervision, working conditions, interpersonal relations and salary.
Motivators can produce long term positive effects whilst hygiene factors tend to cause only short term changes.
In general, motivators relate to what a person does whilst hygiene factors relate to the situation in which the things are done.
McClelland proposed a motivation theory based on three basic needs.
The need for achievement
The need for power
The need for affiliation
Providing an individual with specific goals can increase performance. Difficult goals, if accepted, can result in a greater increase in performance than easy goals.
A goal can be defined as an image of a future level of performance that the individual wishes to achieve. Providing specific goals helps an individual to focus on improvement in a specific area. Without this focus, the means to improve can be unclear.
Vroom argues that an individual will act in a certain way based on an expectation that an act will be followed by a specific outcome. The individual will be influenced by the attractiveness of that outcome. Effort, Performance and Attractiveness are influenced in the following way.
Vroom argues that an individual will act in a certain way based on an expectation that an act will be followed by a specific outcome. The individual will be influenced by the attractiveness of that outcome. Effort, Performance and Attractiveness are influenced in the following way.
Across a broad range of sectors, including the business and industrial community, there is broad agreement that staff motivation is important and has a direct effect on performance of staff and therefore the organisation.
Education may be a strong factor influencing motivation. Eg concentration & IQ.
Motivational programmes that are based mainly or solely on belief are dangerous. The setting of short term and possibly long term goals where real and measurable achievement is made can be very successful. A feeling that everything is good and that success will surly follow may lead to personal disappointment when things go wrong (as they inevitably do some of the time). There is no substance to the beliefs and stress may result. The individual believer may be unaware of the effects of stress because of their positive attitude. They may work long hours and take on more work and responsibility, thus making the stress worse.
An interesting and brief introduction to motivation can be found in Microsoft Encarta.
The foundations of Physiological Psycology contains information concerning the physiology of motivation and Cognitive Psycology by Robert J. Sternberg dicusses Motivation in connection with creativity