What Motivated You?
Chapter 16 presents several different motivation theories. As we learn in class, theories are simply different approaches to think about motivation (energy + direction + persistence).
Instructions:
Describe a task you’ve completed recently for which you exerted a high level of effort. Explain your behavior, using one of the motivational approaches (theories) from Chapter 16 that were discussed specifically by your instructor.
Formulate a complete (no less than 500 words) and original response.
Chapter 16: Motivating Employees”There are no simple, cookbook formulas for working with people.” — Keith Davis Note this chapter begins with a short quiz entitled, “What Motivates You”? Take a look at the factors that might motivate you as an individual. Motivation explains why people behave the way they do. Four important early theories that describe how motivation occurs are 1) Mas low’s Hierarchy of Needs – Mas low’s hierarchy of needs reflects a sequence of satisfaction of needs: physiological, security, social, esteem, and self-actualization. 2) Regor’s Theory X vs. Theory Y – proposes two different assumptions about human nature 3) Heisenberg’s Two Factor Theory – intrinsic factors are related to job satisfaction and motivation; whereas extrinsic factors are associated with job dissatisfaction 4) McClellan’s Three Needs Theory – three acquired needs achievement, power, and affiliation are major motives in work More contemporary theories of motivation would included 1) Goal Setting Theory – the use of specific and accepted difficult goals result in higher performance 2) Reinforcement Theory – behavior is a function of its consequences 3) Designing Motivating Jobs using job enrichment, job enlargement, or a combination of job characteristics 4) Adam’s Equity Theory – an employee compares input-outcomes ratio with that of others and then corrects for any inequity 5) Expectancy Theory – an individual tends to act in a certain way based on the expectation that the act will be followed by a given outcome and on the attractiveness of that outcome to the individual And then, we conclude with some current issues in motivation like how to motivate an employee in challenging economic circumstances, cross-cultural differences in what motivates an individual, and how to motivate a diverse workforce. Ask yourself what motivates you on the job – would it be more money, better benefits, more recognition, greater responsibility, appreciation of a job well done, etc.? Consider your workplace and what types of rewards can be provided. A unionized environment may be quite different in
terms of contractual obligations and rewards that could be used. While a small entrepreneurial company may have different methods of motivating people