Motivation; a quick look

Motivation is a process activating, directing and maintaining a goal-directed behaviour. So the goal, behaviour and drive are interrelated and are influenced by human values and culture.

A need can become a drive if felt strongly and can direct human behaviour to attain the goal, need gives rise to a goal. Need, motive and drive are often used interchangeably, and even ‘goal’ is used interchangeably with ‘incentive’. A need pushes us, the corresponding goal or incentive pulls us.

The Hindi translation of the term goal is “Lakshya”-something that one aspires to achieve, for example, one may want to perform well in his/her exam, or would like to buy a car in the next financial quarter or a scientist may want to discover a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. Thus, a need (physiological, security, affiliation, esteem or self-actualization needs) pushes an individual to make efforts, modulate behaviour towards attaining the goal. However, the need for achieving these goals may be completely different. For example; One may choose to buy a car arising out of esteem needs while someone may choose to buy a car for a safer commute during transportation.

A student wants to score a high percentage in his/her board examination. He needs self-esteem and modifies, maintains and directs his behaviour towards achieving good performance (goal). He may come across various barriers that could be internal or external. These internal barriers like lethargy, lack of concentration, lack of self-control; external barriers like lack of resources, lack of access to support, and lack of guidance; might pose difficulty in performing well in the examination. So to achieve his goal, despite the barriers, he might acquire habits by modifying certain behaviours.

However, culture influences our needs, behaviour and barriers at various stages, for example, if someone is hungry and needs food, the choice to satiate hunger is influenced by the culture- a health-conscious individual might choose ingredients having higher fibres in his/her food. However, its extent and nature is a subject of investigation.

Several theories already exist that answer what needs, goals and behaviour, however few answers how this works. They have been divided into content theories and process theories. Please refer them to develop a better understanding of the concept of motivation.

A list of content theories that you may want to refer are listed below

• Maslow Need Theory
• Deficiency and growth needs
• The needs trinity: Affiliation, power, and achievement McClelland
• The Two-factor theory
• Hackman and Oldham Model 
• Adams’ (1965) Equity Theory

 Process Theories

However, there are some theories which explain the process of motivation rather than answering what goals, needs and barriers motivate or demotivate us. Some of the Process Theories are listed below:

1. Vroom (1964) advanced an Expectancy Theory

• Expectancy (perceived probability) that if one makes efforts he can perform well.
• The instrumentality of performance means a good performance will be rewarded.
• The valence of the reward, that is, the reward is important and valuable for him.

Theory of intrinsic motivation (Deci, 1975)

Indian theories:

• Nishkaam karm
• Giving Theory (Daan) of motivation

Coming back to our discussion, motivation can be further divided into extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation refers to a controlled situation, seduced or coerced where an individual under pressure performs, modulates behaviour to get an incentive or failure may lead to punishment. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation refers to a process of attaining the goal in an autonomous condition where the participants have volition of choice. They in a manner endorse certain behaviour and are interested in the process of attaining the goal.

Unlike extrinsic motivation, enjoyment and interest is a part of the intrinsic this process. Our choices are influenced by deeply held values, culture and participation lead to positive emotions. You can imagine of intrinsically motivated teachers motivate their students, to value learning and witness the deep engagement of learners; a doctor intrinsically motivating his/ her patient to take medicines, take good care of themselves. By giving autonomy, control in his/ her patients, he/she can create opportunities that create a condition within a patient to motivate themselves.

We have a starting point now, motivate to be self-motivated. 

Would love to hear from you. Your comments, feedback and constructive criticism are deeply valued. 

Keep learning! 

Sinha, J. B. P. (2008). Culture and Organizational behaviour. New Delhi: Sage.

 [i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishkam_Karma