MOTIVATION

MOTIVATION
Human behaviour is driven and pulled toward
goals and the goal seeking behaviour tends to
persist. If we want to give a term to this driving
and pulling force which result in persistent
behaviour toward particular goals it may be
motivation.
The driving force may be based on wants/needs. So,
the term motivation in a broader sense may be
defined as , a behaviour arising out of various
human needs/wants and which is directed
towards a certain goals that may bring the
satisfaction of mind.

When the needs/wants are met with incentives etc..

there is satisfaction and this causes motivation.
Classification of Wants/Needs:
a. Basic/Primary/Physiological Needs: Food,
Shelter, Clothing, Sex, Sleep, etc

b.

Secondary/Social/Psychological Needs: Sense of

belonging, Duty, Self esteem, etc

ABRAHAM MASLOW CLASSIFICATION OF

NEEDS

THEORIES OF MOTIVATION
A.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Drive Theory it is also known as push theory

Behaviour is pushed towards goals by driving states
within a person. This drive may be innate or inborn
or based on previous experience also. Eg: Sexual and
aggressive urges or drives. This theory has 4 stages:
A driving state
The goal directed behaviour initiated by the driving
state
The attainment of the goal and
The reduction of the driving state and a feeling of
satisfaction and relief when the goal is reached. This
can be explained as the motivational cycle.

MOTIVATIONAL CYCLE

B. INCENTIVE THEORY
It is also known as pull theory because the goal
objects pull behaviour toward them. The goal objects
which motivate behaviour are known as incentives
Eg: Wage, Salary, Bonus, Vacation, etc
C. Opponent-Process Theory We are motivated to
seek goals which give us good emotional feelings and
avoid these resulting in displeasure.
D. Optimal-level Theory It is also known as firstright theory. The individual is motivated to behave
in such a way to obtain the optimal level of
happiness.

TYPES OF MOTIVATION
a.

b.

BIOLOGICAL MOTIVATION: It is rooted in

physiological state of the body. There are many such
motives like hunger, thirst, desire for sex,
temperature regulation, sleep, pain avoidance, need
for oxygen, etc
SOCIAL MOTIVES/MOTIVATION It is social
because it is learned in social groups, right from the
family as children growing up and it involves other
people too. Some of the important social motives are:
i. Achievement Motivation
ii. Power motivation
iii. Motivation related to Human Aggression

ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION
1.

High achievement

2.

Hard work

3.

High performance

4.

Success

POWER MOTIVATION
To influence
To control
To persuade
To lead
To charm others
Enhance reputation

III. AGGRESSION BIOLOGICAL BUT

EXPRESSED IN SOCIAL REALM
We attack, hurt and kill others, damage others
reputation
CAUSES OF AGGRESSION instinctual / nature
of the beast, animal behaviour, social causes
frustration, etc.,

C. MOTIVATION TO KNOW AND BE

EFFECTIVE
These are motivations to seek variety in
stimulation, to process information about the
world around us, to explore and to be effective in
mastering challenges from the environment.
i.
Stimulus and Exploration Needs looking at
things, travelling and exploring the
environment watching TV, Reading Books, etc.,
for sensation seeking
ii.
Effective motivation a general motive to act
competently and effectively when interacting
with environment. Eg. Baby from crawling to
standing stage

C. MOTIVATION TO KNOW AND BE

EFFECTIVE

SELF-ACTUALIZATION MOTIVATION
Make the fullest use of ones capabilities Maslows hierarchy of needs.

D. FRUSTRATION AND CONFLICT

MOTIVATION
Frustration refers to the blocking of behaviour
directed toward a goal.
Conflict among simultaneously aroused motives is
another reason why goals are not reached.