02 The Psychology of Motivation
Welcome to the world of psychology. If you are like many students, you may not yet have a clear understanding of what psychology really is, or why it is worth studying. Psychologists want to understand why people behave the way they do. They believe that if we can discover the causes of behavior, we will be able to explain them, and maybe also control them.
Motivation - intrinsic and extrinsic
Motivation is a combination of the performer's determination and enthusiasm to achieve their goals and the outside factors which affect them. Motivation can take two forms - intrinsic and extrinsic.
- Intrinsic motivation is the inner drive to succeed, engaging in the task or adhering to the activity for fun, enjoyment and satisfaction. An example would include going to the gym to keep healthy.
- Extrinsic motivation comes from sources outside of the performer and usually involves rewards, for example, prize money, trophies, certificates or recognition.
How is Terrible Terry Tate trying to motivate the employees of Felcher & Sons; intrinsically or extrinsically?
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Motivational theorists
Leaders can make use of a number of motivational theories to help encourage those around them to work harder.
Taylorism argues that staff do not enjoy work and are only motivated by threats and pay. Managers motivate staff by organizing employees' work and paying by results, eg piece rate pay - payment per item produced.
Maslow suggests there are five hierarchies or levels of need that explain why people work. Staff first want to meet their survival needs by earning a good wage. Safety needs such as job security then become important, followed by social, self-esteem and self-fulfilment needs. Moving staff up a Maslow level is motivational.
Taylorism argues that staff do not enjoy work and are only motivated by threats and pay. Managers motivate staff by organizing employees' work and paying by results, eg piece rate pay - payment per item produced.
Maslow suggests there are five hierarchies or levels of need that explain why people work. Staff first want to meet their survival needs by earning a good wage. Safety needs such as job security then become important, followed by social, self-esteem and self-fulfilment needs. Moving staff up a Maslow level is motivational.
