23 Motivation: Concept and Process

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Structure

 

1.       Objectives

 

2.       Introduction

 

3.       Concept of Motivation

 

4.       Types of Motivation

 

5.       Maslow’s theory of Motivation:

 

6.       Process of Motivation:

 

7.       Summary

 

 

1. Objectives

 

The students will be able to:

  • Define motivation
  • Explain characteristics of motivation
  • Distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation
  • Explain Maslow’s theory of motivation
  • Discuss process of motivation

 

2. Introduction:

 

A person lives his life on the basis of motivation. For everything in life whether it is teaching, working or even doing any menial work, motivation is the most important factor that is required. From getting up early in the morning, to going to work, having food, and meeting up with the friends just everything requires motivation. If the person is not motivated enough he cannot sustain his objective for a longer period of time. Motivation is a driving force that keeps a person going and it is important for the survival and the growth on an individual. Similarly, in an organisation we find that some people are constantly striving for achieving higher goals while others are doing any work for the sake of doing. Manager needs to know why some are ready to give their best while others are not. Hence, it is very much essential for mangers to know the concept of motivation.

 

3. Concept of motivation:

 

The term motivation is derived from the Latin word ‘movere’ means to move or to energise. E.g: when we are tired, we have a cup of tea which gives us energy and we can complete the task in hand. Similarly, motivation helps us to remain on the task.

 

Definition of motivation:

 

Lindsey (1967): Motivation is the combination of forces that initiate, direct and sustain behaviour towards the goal.

 

Porter (1991): Motivation is a set of forces that causes people to engage in one behaviour rather than some alternative behaviour.

 

McCoach (2002): Motivation is that condition or an internal state of the organism which points it towards the practice of a given task and defines the satisfactory completion of the task.

 

If we analyse above definitions we can say that motivation is the force which is responsible for making person behave in a specific manner for achieving the set goal. E.g: The sportsman wishing to participate Olympics is very much motivated to win gold medal. Hence, practices vigorously to achieve the goal. Another example can be of the person, who wishes to lose the weight. The person will do the exercises if he/she is highly motivated.

 

Characteristics:

 

Following are the characteristics of the motivation.

 

  1. Motivation is complementary part of learning and not an end. Motivation is means to achieve goal and not an end. To get success, person should be motivated and ready to put on efforts committedly.
  2. Motivation leads to the demonstration of activities. We have seen that at the time of cricket match spectators are encouraging the player by saying ‘buck up’, ‘well played’. These words motivate the players to give his/her best.
  3. Motivation makes clear the behaviour of the individual. Motivated persons are proactive, regular, and sincere and focussed on their task. This is the perfect description of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar.
  4. Motivation has the effect on many aspects of personality viz. mental, physical or social. It may be positive or negative. The circumstances determine whether person will get motivation or not.
  5. Motivation is driven by various motives or needs and wants which may be different for different individuals. E.g: students appearing for SSC examination has different motives, one student just want to get passing marks, other student wants to get distinction still other student has the dream of securing the award.

 

4. Types of motivation:

 

Motivation can be categorised into two types.

 

Intrinsic motivation: Here, the reward lies within an individual. Individual performs task to derive the satisfaction or feel good feeling. There is no need to have pressure from the environment. Individual enjoys the task. Classical example would be Ekalavya who studied archery on his own. This type is the best as here individual is self-motivated.

 

Extrinsic motivation: Here, the reward lies in the environment or outside the person. Individual performs the activity for the sake of getting reward, praise, or promotion. Most of the people in an organisation require external motivation.

 

The advantages of intrinsic motivation are:

 

Intrinsic motivations are the inner drives that a person gets from himself/herself and therefore lasts longer than extrinsic motivations.

 

A self-motivated person is independent and therefore he/she is able to take his/her own decisions and not dependent on extrinsic motivations.

 

Self-motivated persons reach their goals through determination and perseverance. Therefore, a sense of self-respect and belief is developed when a person is self- motivated.

 

A person is who is internally motivated is responsible for his/her decisions. Therefore he/she becomes accountable for his/her own actions.

 

The advantages of extrinsic motivation are:

 

Extrinsic motivations are derived from the outside environment. Extrinsic motivations are also important as they help in building trust in the people. Trust in the environment is built because of external motivators.

 

When a person is extrinsically motivated, a person becomes inspired because of the people that motivate him. This inspiration is very important for life since it comes from the people that the person adores in the form of a mentor, friend, philosopher and guide.

 

Sometimes when a person is not confident about himself but wants to achieve something then extrinsic motivations help in a big way. This is because the people who motivate the person also make him confident.

 

 

5.   Maslow’s theory of Motivation:

 

It is known as theory of needs hierarchy and is developed by Abraham Maslow in 1940s. The assumption underlying this theory is that human needs can be arranged in a hierarchy as per the importance. The most basic needs form the foundation. According to him, person is motivated by unfulfilled needs. When a need is satisfied, it no longer works as motivator for individual.

 

The needs can be classified into two types: four needs at the bottom of triangle are called deprivation or deficiency needs, as they must be satisfied for the individual’s survival. The need for self-actualization is known as growth need as satisfaction of this need helps in personal development of the individual. Alternatively, needs can be classified into higher order and lower order needs. The physiological and safety needs are lower order needs which are satisfied from external environment. The need for belongingness, esteem and self-actualisation are higher order needs and they are fulfilled internally.

Figure 1: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

 

Physiological needs: These are the basic biological needs. It includes need for air, food, water, shelter, rest, sex. The fulfilment of these needs is very much required for survival of individual. Only after fulfilment of these needs either fully or partially the higher order needs for individual emerge. These needs have tremendous impact on behaviour of individual. E.g: The individual who is very hungry may steal food for satisfying the hunger. For the individual from lower socio-economic strata, these needs work as powerful motivator. E.g: Midday meal scheme introduced by Government of India has therefore proved effective in retaining the primary school children in schools. That is why it is necessary to give appropriate salary to employees so that they can fulfil this basic need. Once these needs are gratified, they no longer work as motivators.

 

Safety and security needs: Once basic biological needs are satisfied then these needs emerge. These include

a) Security from danger such as Fire, accident and

b)   Economic security includes salary, gratuity, and medical allowance. These needs are related to financial security. Therefore, organisations have staff welfare schemes such as provident fund, health insurance. These schemes motivate employees to give their best and reduces attrition rate. It is the responsibility of the organisation to provide safe and healthy environment. E.g: Current labour unions along with pay hike have demands for job security, health insurance etc.

 

Belongingness needs: It includes need or love, belongingness and affection. Man is a social animal hence cannot survive if out casted by the group. He or she may go in depression. Hence, it is very important that this need to be taken care of. These needs focus on social aspect at work place. Organisation meets this need by providing recreational facilities and gives importance to team work.

 

Esteem needs: Also known as ego needs. They are the needs for self-esteem and the respect from others. Fulfilment of these needs leads to development of self-confidence, feeling of self-worth and self-respect. Therefore, organisations have incentives either as promotion or reward for achieving the targets.

 

Self-actualisation needs: This is the growth need. It includes the motive to prove the talent one has. A self-actualised person is works hard for self-development. As per the position of individual in the life cycle these needs are expressed. E.g: new entrants in the film industry may want to get recognition from viewers. Once the same individual gets established in the industry would dream for getting the prestigious awards. After understanding the strengths of employee’s manager can assign them the challenging tasks.

 

Managers need to understand the current needs of the employees. This knowledge helps him or her to decide the strategies for motivating them.

 

 

6. Process of Motivation:

 

Motivation plays very crucial role in personal as well as professional life of an individual. Hence, it is necessary to understand the motivation process. There are five steps in this process as shown in the diagram.

Figure 2: Motivation Process

 

Unsatisfied needs and motives:

 

This is the first step in the process. These needs can be physiological, psychological, and social. The individual for whom physiological needs are satisfied will be motivated for the safety and security needs. Individuals whose needs are not satisfied are more motivated than those for whom all the needs are satisfied.

 

  1. Tension: The unsatisfied needs create tension in the individual. The tension can be psychological or physiological. The extent of tension depends on how important is that need for individual. If the need is not so important then the tension created will be less.
  2. Action to satisfy needs and motives: In this stage, individual takes action to fulfil the needs. This action leads to reducing the tension. Individual explores different alternatives and chooses the best alternative for satisfying the needs.
  3. Goal accomplishment: The action taken by individual helps him/her in goal accomplishment. If the action matches the tension then individual gets reward. At the end of this step goals are accomplished.
  4. Feedback: It is the last stage of motivation process. Feedback helps individual to revise, improve or modify the needs. On the basis of accomplishment of goal, the needs are revised.

 

Education manager should understand the motivation concept, types of needs as well the process of motivation so that he or she can maintain or enhance the motivation of the employees.

 

7. Summary:

 

Motivation is the force which is responsible for making person behave in a specific manner for achieving the set goal. Motivation can be categorised into two types. Intrinsic motivation: Reward lies within an individual. Individual performs task to derive the satisfaction or feel good. Extrinsic motivation: Reward lies in the environment or outside the person. Individual performs the activity for the sake of getting reward, praise or promotion.

 

Theory of needs hierarchy is developed by Abraham Maslow in 1940s. The five needs are: physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness, self-esteem and self-actualisation. According to him, the needs can be classified into two types: four needs at the bottom of triangle are called deprivation or deficiency needs, as they must be satisfied for the individual’s survival. The need for self – actualization is known as growth need as satisfaction of this need helps in personal development of the individual. Managers need to understand the current needs of the employees. This knowledge helps him or her to decide the strategies for motivating them.

 

There are five steps in the process of motivation viz: Unsatisfied needs and motives, tensions, Action to satisfy needs and motives, Goal accomplishment and feedback. Education manager should understand the motivation concept, types of needs as well the process of motivation so that he or she can maintain or enhance the motivation of the employees.

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