MOTIVATION

Processes and Theories

WHAT IS MOTIVATION ?
DERIVED FROM LATIN MOVERE- TO MOVE
IS A PROCESS THAT STARTS WITH A PHYSIOLOGICAL OR
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFICIENCY OR NEED THAT ACTIVATES A
BEHAVIOUR OR DRIVE THAT IS AIMED AT GOAL OR INCENTIVE.

NEEDS

DRIVES

INCENTIVES

MOTIVES
1. PRIMARY MOTIVES: Physiological & Unlearned e.g.
hunger, thirst, sleep , sex etc.
2. SECONDARY MOTIVES: Learned or cognitive
Most important for study of human behaviour
Achievement; Power; Affiliation; Security; Status
3. GENERAL MOTIVES:
Unlearned but not physiologically based
Used to increase stimulation So called stimulus motives
Unlearned drive for: Curiosity Motive; Manipulation Motive;
Activity Motive

THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT OF WORK MOTIVATION

PROCESS
CONTENT THEORIES deal with needs/ drives that people have
Maslows Hierarchy of needs
Herzbergs Two- Factor theory of motivation
Alderfers ERG Theory
PROCESS THEORIES Cognitive antecedents that go into motivation
Vrooms Expectancy Theory of Motivation
Porter- Lawler Model
CONTEMPORARY THEORIES
Equity Theory Adams
Attribution Theory- Kelley
Theory of needs Mclellaland
Cognitive Evaluation Theory Heider, de Charmes & Bem
Goal Setting Theory - Locke

PROCESS THEORIES
VROOMS EXPECTANCY THEORY
2nd level
Outcome
INSTRUMENTALITIES

EXPECTANCY

MOTIVATIONAL
FORCE

OUTCOME
1A
1st level
Outcome
OUTCOME 1

OUTCOME
1B
OUTCOME 2A

OUTCOME 2
OUTCOME
2B

TERMS
VALENCY Strength of an individuals preference for a
Particular outcome
INSTRUMENTALITY of first level outcome in obtaining
A desired 2nd level outcome.
EXPECTANCY PROBABILITY THAT A PARTICULAR
ACTION WILL LEAD TO A FIRST LEVEL OUTCOME.
MOTIVATIONAL FORCE Valence X Expectancy

Abilities
and traits

Value of
Reward

Effort

Perceived
effort

Intrinsic
rewards
Performance

Role
perceptions

Perceived
Equitable
rewards

Satisfaction
Extrinsic
rewards

Porter-Lawler Model

CONTEMPORARY THEORY
J STRACY ADAMS
EQUITY THEORY OF MOTIVATIONCOGNITIVELY BASED
IS BASED ON EQUITY
EQUITY :
Persons outcomes
Persons input

vs

others outcomes
others input

The striving to restore equity is an explanation of work motivation.

Strength is directly proportional to the inequity.
Workers prefer equitable payment to overpayment

Contemporary theories
Cognitive Evaluation theory
allocating extrinsic rewards for behaviour that
had been previously intrinsically rewarding
tends to decrease the overall level of
motivation.
Self Concordance
The degree to which a persons reasons for
pursuing a goal consistent with the persons
interests and core values. (e.g. if one pursues a
goal because of an intrinsic interest, they are
more likely to achieve it and are happy even if
they do not achieve it).