1.7C Problem 1- What Drives Them?
Motivation- the conditions responsible for variations in intensity, persistence, quality
and direction of ongoing behaviour
History of Motivation
Influences on early theories of motivation:
1. Psychodynamic theories of personality (esp. Freud)
instincts- inborn tendencies that are thought to direct behaviour
o engage in work because of economic instinct > instinct is because
individual works
x- circular
x- ignores interaction between individual and environment
2. Replaced by Maslow
Not instincts, but specific set of needs- inborn/universally present motivation in
humans
o (drives= nonhuman equivalent)
When one set of needs activated by environment, higher set of needs active
Interaction between individual and environment
3. Behaviourist approach
Behaviour on the environment
o Nature vs. Nurture debate between behaviourists/non-behaviourists
4. Lewin’s Field Theory
Forces in psychological environment interacts to yield course of action
Each force has valence, attracted or repelling individual
Group dynamics- the application of Lewin’s field theory in industry
Today’s motivation theories: focus on cognitive and emotional
Motivation and Performance
Viteles- motivation= productivity
o Motivation is method by which employer arouses cooperation of individual
works
ProMES- performance and productivity measurement: increasing amount of time/effort
individual devotes to a task will result in higher levels of personal performance and
increased productivity for the organisation
Motivation plays role in successful and unsuccessful performance
Motivation and Work-Life Balance
Motivation is about direction:
workaholics direct all their motivation towards work
Non-workaholics may struggle as to where to direct their motivation/how to
efficiently spread it between work/other life aspects
Motivation and Personality
Strong/consistent relationships between personality and performance motivation
Characteristic Performance Motivation
Neuroticism Negative
Conscientiousness Positive
Emotionally Stable Positive
Internal LOC Positive
Positive Attributional Style Positive
Locus of Control- extent to which individual views events as resulting from own actions
(internal LOC) or outside causes (external LOC)
Internal LOC- believe can control their environments
External LOC- believe can’t control external environments
Individuals with positive attributional style likely to grow pessimistic after 4 years
in same organisation
Motivation- the conditions responsible for variations in intensity, persistence, quality
and direction of ongoing behaviour
History of Motivation
Influences on early theories of motivation:
1. Psychodynamic theories of personality (esp. Freud)
instincts- inborn tendencies that are thought to direct behaviour
o engage in work because of economic instinct > instinct is because
individual works
x- circular
x- ignores interaction between individual and environment
2. Replaced by Maslow
Not instincts, but specific set of needs- inborn/universally present motivation in
humans
o (drives= nonhuman equivalent)
When one set of needs activated by environment, higher set of needs active
Interaction between individual and environment
3. Behaviourist approach
Behaviour on the environment
o Nature vs. Nurture debate between behaviourists/non-behaviourists
4. Lewin’s Field Theory
Forces in psychological environment interacts to yield course of action
Each force has valence, attracted or repelling individual
Group dynamics- the application of Lewin’s field theory in industry
Today’s motivation theories: focus on cognitive and emotional
Motivation and Performance
Viteles- motivation= productivity
o Motivation is method by which employer arouses cooperation of individual
works
ProMES- performance and productivity measurement: increasing amount of time/effort
individual devotes to a task will result in higher levels of personal performance and
increased productivity for the organisation
Motivation plays role in successful and unsuccessful performance
Motivation and Work-Life Balance
Motivation is about direction:
workaholics direct all their motivation towards work
Non-workaholics may struggle as to where to direct their motivation/how to
efficiently spread it between work/other life aspects
Motivation and Personality
Strong/consistent relationships between personality and performance motivation
Characteristic Performance Motivation
Neuroticism Negative
Conscientiousness Positive
Emotionally Stable Positive
Internal LOC Positive
Positive Attributional Style Positive
Locus of Control- extent to which individual views events as resulting from own actions
(internal LOC) or outside causes (external LOC)
Internal LOC- believe can control their environments
External LOC- believe can’t control external environments
Individuals with positive attributional style likely to grow pessimistic after 4 years
in same organisation
