Week 9 Dates 13th January – 17th January, 2025

Unit Motivation
Topic MOTIVATION

Introduction to Motivation
In educational psychology, "motivation" refers to a student's internal drive or
desire to engage in learning activities, persist through challenges, and achieve
goals, essentially acting as the force that pushes them to actively participate
and strive for success in their studies; it's the psychological process that
initiates, sustains, and guides a student's learning behavior.
Educational psychologists study motivation to determine how it initiates, directs, and sustains behaviors
aimed at achieving educational goals. This includes examining how different types of motivation
influence the way students approach learning tasks, the energy they put into these tasks, and their
persistence in the face of difficulties. Theories such as self-determination theory, achievement goal
theory, and expectancy-value theory provide frameworks for understanding these dynamics. These
theoretical insights help educators design instructional methods and learning environments that
optimize student motivation, making education a more productive and enjoyable experience. By
leveraging motivational theories, educators can enhance instructional strategies, increase student
participation, and improve educational outcomes by aligning educational practices with the motivational
needs of students.
Motivation in educational psychology is a critical element that drives student engagement, learning, and
overall academic achievement. It refers to the reasons or goals that underlie a student's willingness to
engage in particular activities, persist through challenges, and continue striving towards mastery of
content. Motivation is influenced by a variety of factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic, which can
significantly affect educational outcomes. Intrinsic motivation comes from within the student, such as a
personal interest in a subject or the joy of learning for its own sake. Extrinsic motivation, on the other
hand, involves external rewards such as grades, praise, or status. Understanding and fostering the right
balance of these motivational elements can create a learning environment that encourages students to
learn effectively and enthusiastically.

SOME DEFINITIONS OF MOTIVATION

 CONCEPT AND MEANING OF MOTIVATION

Motivation is the process of stimulating learners to action to accomplish desired goals.

Motivation is a managerial function which has been defined by different scholars.
Some of the important definitions are as follows:

According to Edwin B.Flippo, “Motivation is the process of attempting to influence

learners to do their will through the possibility of gain or reward.”

According to Dalton E. McFarland, “Motivation refers to the way in which the

urges, drives, desires, aspirations, strivings or needs direct, control or explain the
behavior of human beings.”

According to William G. Scout, “Motivation means a process of stimulating learners

to action to accomplish desired learning goals”.

According to Fred Luthans, “Motivation is the process which begins with a

physiological or psychological need or deficiency which triggers behavior or a drive
within learners that is aimed at a goal or incentive.”
NATURE OF MOTIVATION

1. Motivation is an internal feeling which influences the human behavior.

2. Motivation is affected by way the individual is motivated.

3. Motivation results in achieving goals positively in the organization.

4. Motivation is related to satisfaction.

5. Motivation can be positive and negative.

6. Motivation is a complex process as the individuals are heterogeneous in their

expectations, perceptions and reactions.

7. Motivation is stronger when it springs from a person’s needs which are consistent
with his values.

IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION

1. It helps the manager to ignite the will to work amongst the workmen.
 2. Good motivation method helps in improving the abilities and capabilities of the
employees.

3. It helps in finding out the hidden talents and calibre of the employees.

4. Motivated employees means satisfied employees i.e. satisfied in terms of job as

well as their personal motives.

5. Motivation reduces the chances of industrial unrest, strikes and similar labour
problems.

6. Motivation helps to change the negative or indifferent attitudes of employee to

positive attitudes so as to achieve organizational goals.

7. motivation helps to reduce the employee turnover and thereby saves the cost of new
recruitment and training.

8. motivation helps in reducing the absenteeism in the organization.

IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION

There are many types of motivation, including intrinsic and extrinsic,

achievement, and biological.
Intrinsic motivation
 Comes from within, such as personal desires, enjoyment, and curiosity
 Can be long-lasting and strong
 Can be driven by a desire to align with personal values
 For example, volunteering for a food bank because you want to help others
Extrinsic motivation
 Comes from outside forces, such as rewards or avoiding punishment
 Can be driven by a desire to obtain a reward
 For example, being motivated to work harder in exchange for a bonus
Other types of motivation
 Achievement motivation: The drive to accomplish a goal for personal
reasons or career development
 Physiological motivation: The drive to satisfy basic needs like food, water,
and sleep
 Fear-based motivation: The drive to achieve a goal due to fear of something
 Competence motivation: The drive to learn and become knowledgeable
 Creative motivation: The drive to express or communicate an idea
 Affiliate motivation: The drive to become a member of a group or
organization

Example:
1. Enjoying Reading: Picking up a book because the story interests you or
you want to learn, not because it's homework.
2. Playing Music: Spending time with your guitar or piano because it feels
good and you like getting better, and not to pass a test or impress
someone.
Features of Intrinsic Motivation:
 Doing What you Love: The biggest thing about intrinsic motivation is that
you do things because they make you happy, not for rewards like money
or prizes.
 Following your Interests: You choose to do things that grab your
attention or that you're passionate about. It's all about what you find fun
and interesting.
 Getting Really into It: When you're doing something you're intrinsically
motivated to do, you can get so focused that you lose track of time. This
is when you're really into what you're doing.
 Feeling Free: Intrinsic Motivation is all about feeling like you're choosing
to do things on your own, without anyone telling you to. This sense of
choice really matters.
Advantages of Intrinsic Motivation:
 Better Learning and More New Ideas: When you're motivated, you're
more curious and creative. You like to try new things, which helps you
learn better and come up with cool ideas.
 Doing Better at Tasks: People usually do a better job when they like
what they're doing. They work harder and produce better results.
 Feeling Happier: Doing things you enjoy can make you happier and
more satisfied with life. It meets important needs, like feeling free, good at
what you do, and connected to others.
Disadvantages of Intrinsic Motivation:
 Missing Out on Rewards: Sometimes, focusing just on what you enjoy
might mean you miss out on external rewards like money, promotions, or
praise that are also important.
 Feeling Left Out: If your interests are very different from those around
you, it might make you feel lonely or like you don't fit in, especially when
others are doing things together.
 Hard to Support and Measure: For teachers or bosses, it can be tough
to figure out how to encourage intrinsic motivation, especially when
things, like grades or pay are usually what motivate people.
2. Extrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic Motivation happens when we do things to get a reward or to avoid
something we don't want. It's different from intrinsic motivation, which is
when we do things just because we enjoy them. With extrinsic motivation,
the reason we act is for things like money, awards, praise from others, good
grades, or to stay away from trouble, like being fined or getting negative
comments. Basically, we're motivated by something outside of ourselves to
do something, not because we find the task itself fun or rewarding. This kind
of motivation is used in a lot places like jobs, schools, and sports to help
people reach their goals, finish their work, or do better at something.
Example:
1. Extra Work for More Money: Working more hours than usual because
you'll get paid extra for it.
2. Studying Hard for Grades: Putting in a lot of study time not because you
like the subject, but because you want to get good grades.
Features of Extrinsic Motivation:
 Outside Rewards: The main thing about extrinsic motivation is that it's all
about getting rewards like money, prizes, or praise from others, which are
not part of the activity itself.
 Rules and Goals: This motivation type often follows rules or goals set by
others. People do things to get a reward or avoid trouble, following
guidelines to reach these external rewards.
 Focus on Results: When people are motivated by external things,
they're usually trying to finish a task to get something in return, not
because they like the task.
Advantages of Extrinsic Motivation:
 Clear Targets: When there are rewards for doing something, it's easier to
know what you're aiming for. This helps people understand what they
need to do to get what they want.
 Quick Motivation: If there's a reward for doing something, even if it's not
something you love doing, you might start it quicker. This is handy for
tasks at school or work that might not be fun but need to be finished.
 Simple to Use: It's pretty easy to set up rewards, like bonuses at work,
grades at school, or prizes for winning something.
Disadvantages of Extrinsic Motivation:
 Losing Interest: If people get rewards all the time, they might start to
care less about doing things just for fun. Once the rewards stop, they
might not want to do the activity anymore.
 Waiting for Rewards: People might start to expect a reward for
everything they do, which can make it hard to keep doing things without
getting something in return.
 Choosing Easy Over Good: When the goal is to get a reward, some
might just do the bare minimum to get it, which can mean the work isn't
done as well as it could be.
3. Achievement Motivation
Achievement Motivation is all about wanting to do well, reach goals, and be
successful. It's the feeling that makes people want to overcome challenges,
get better at something, and take pride in doing tough tasks. People who
really focus on achieving things like to set goals that are hard but possible to
reach, keep trying even when things get difficult, and choose tasks that test
their skills and effort. These motivated individuals usually care more about
the satisfaction of finishing a goal than getting rewards like money or praise.
They enjoy tasks where they can see how well they're doing and learn how
to improve.
Example:
A student putting in extra study time not just to get through exams, but
aiming to be the best in their class because they really want to excel in their
studies; an athlete doing more than the usual training, trying to set new
personal records or win big competitions, because they love their sport and
want to be the best; or a worker taking on tough projects, not just for a bonus
or a higher position, but to challenge themselves and grow in their job.
Features of Achievement Motivation:
 Focused on Goals: People driven by achievement motivation have clear
and challenging goals they want to reach. They make plans to achieve
these goals and stick to them.
 Keeps Going: They don't give up easily, even when things get tough.
They see setbacks as chances to learn and get better.
 Likes a Challenge: They prefer tasks that are just right in terms of
difficulty—not too easy but not too hard either. These tasks should test
their skills and require effort.
Advantages of Achievement Motivation:
 Doing Better: People who want to achieve tend to do a better job
because they're always aiming to reach tough goals. They work hard and
keep going, which usually leads to better results.
 Staying Strong and Not Giving Up: Being focused on goals helps
people keep going, even when things get hard. They see problems as
chances to learn and don't easily quit.
 Finding Creative Solutions: Wanting to reach goals makes people think
outside the box and solve problems in smart ways. They're always looking
for new ways to succeed.
Disadvantages of Achievement Motivation:
 Feeling Burned Out: Always trying to achieve more and more can lead
to feeling super tired, both in your body and mind. It's important to take
breaks and relax.
 Worrying about Failing: If you're really focused on achieving, you might
start to worry a lot about not making it. This worry can make you stressed
and afraid to try new things.
 Less Time for Friends and Family: Spending a lot of time on reaching
your goals might mean you don't have much time left for the people you
care about. This can make relationships tough.
4. Affiliation Motivation
Affiliation Motivation is when people really want to make friends, be part of a
group, and get along with others. It's all about wanting to feel connected and
accepted by people around us. This motivation makes us value being part of
a community, enjoying being with friends, and caring a lot about getting
along well with others. People who are driven by this kind of motivation
prefer to work with others rather than compete against them. They're good at
noticing how others feel, really care about being liked, and worry about being
left out or not fitting in.
Example:
An example of someone being motivated by wanting to make friends and
connect with others is when a person who enjoys reading joins a book club.
This person is looking for more than just reading books; he want to meet
people who like reading as much as he do. In the book club, he talk about
books, share his thoughts, and appreciate being around others who also
enjoy reading. His main aim is to feel included and make friends in this
group, showing how important it is for him to have connections with others.
This shows how the need to be around others and feel part of a group can
motivate people.
Features of Affiliation Motivation:
 Making Friends: People who really want social connections put a lot of
value on friendships and being part of groups. They love feeling
connected to others.
 Worrying about Fitting In: A big part of wanting to be close to others is
worrying about being left out or not accepted. This worry can make people
try really hard to be liked.
 Liking to Work Together: Those who are driven by this motivation prefer
doing things as a team rather than competing. They're the ones who
enjoy group projects and teamwork.
Advantages of Affiliation Motivation:
 Stronger Support Networks: Having a strong circle of friends and family
provides emotional support, help when needed, and a sense of belonging,
which is especially important during tough times.
 Better Talking and Listening Skills: People who seek out social
connections tend to get really good at communicating because they talk
and listen to others often. These skills help a lot in life and work.
 More United Teams: Those who value being part of a group help make
teams stronger and more together. They help everyone get along and
work better as a team.
Disadvantages of Affiliation Motivation:
 Relying too much on Friends: People might start depending too much
on their friends for making decisions or feeling good about themselves,
which might make them less confident on their own.
 Worrying about being Left Out: The strong wish to be part of a group
can make people really scared of being left out, stopping them from being
their true selves or trying new things.
 Taking Criticism Hard: Those who really want to fit in might get upset by
criticism, even when it's meant to help, making it hard for them to
improve.