A. Definition of motivation
Motivation is necessary for successfully completing any endeavor you undertake. Motivation is a term which has so many aspects related to different walks of human life. So it can be defined in a number of ways. Generally, it can be defined as a driving force that initiates and direct behavior. Motivation is a kind of internal energy which compels a person to do something in order to accomplish something. It is a sequential or vibrant state of a person which is not concerned with his personality. Motivation can be categorized like achievement motivation, affiliation motivation, competence motivation, power motivation, and attitude motivation. Based on various studies conducted to understand the different motives that drive a person to success, motives are categorized into three such as homeostatic motives, nonhomeostatic motives and learned or social motives. Thirst, hunger, respiration, and excretion are examples of homeostatic motives. Nonhomeostatic motives include activities such as looking for shelter and curiosity about the environment. Power, achievement, social affiliation, curiosity, a desire for innovation, and approval are considered as learned motives or social motives.
Threeparticular aspects which form the fundamental of motivation are the arousal of behavior, the direction of behavior and persistence of behavior. Arousal of behavior is that activates human behavior and direction of behavior is connected with what directs behavior towards a specific goal. Persistence of behavior is related with how the behavior is sustained. Motivation plays a key role in the effective performance of employees in a work place. Managers use different motivation techniques to improve productivity. In education, instructors use motivation techniques to motivate their students to learn. Motivation is indispensable to increase student motivation to make a student more competent. A boost in self confidence and problem-solving skills are resulted by motivation. Motivation is otherwise defined as to give reason, incentive, enthusiasm, or interest that causes a specific action or certain behavior.
B.Two sources of motivation
It is difficult to specify any two sources of motivation, as there are different sources related with different aspects of human motivation. Biological factors are an important source for human motivation. Examples of biological factors are need for food and water. Emotional factors also is an equally important source of motivation. Human emotions like fear, anger, love, panicor hatred can influence behavior ranging from selfless giving to brutal murder. With regard to behavior, there are two types of motivation which are intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is one which is a reason for performingbehavioranticipating the reward inherent in the task. This type of motivation is generally intellectual or psychological. Such a task is performed for the pleasure of doing the task, expecting the reward of learning something newor sometimes because it is ethically the right thing to do. Studying hard to improve knowledge is an example of such performance which is intrinsically motivated. Another example could be a decision to take part in charity programs or adventurous games. Alternatively, studying hard can also have an extrinsic motivation such as to get a good grade or for assuring admission for higher studies. Extrinsic motivation involves factors such as rewards external to the individual. These factors are such as money, reputation, good grades, etc. So these are two types of motivation and in both of these types there are many examples of sources of motivation.Intrinsic motivation usually results in much effectivebehavior than external motivation. There is a greater intensity of motivation for people motivated intrinsically than extrinsically. It has been noted that students motivated by the pleasure of improving their knowledge do better than students motivated only by good grades or rewards for good grades. Things like food, water, and shelter are examples of things that need to be satisfied before other needs like knowledge or money. Motivation can be related to physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, and emotional needs.
C. The relationship between motivation and behavior
Motivation and behavior are apparently interconnected. When something is motivating us, we behave accordingly. Motivation is generally goal oriented. A certain behavior happens when one is motivated and the behavior becomes the force to meet the goal. Ones behavior must focus on drive to be motivated. The relationship between motivation and behavior is moderately basic. When a desire exists which has to be satisfied, a particular behavioroccurs. An individual is motivated to satisfy that need by performing behavior.In public, we are driven to expose ourselves in such a way we want others to see us. That behavior may be respectful, rude, fun or violent depending on the motivation and the people around us. During a job interview a person is motivated to be very polite and respectful because heknows the behavior suited for achieving the goal of a job is that. Taking the example of hunger, a biological need, it is obvious that any living creature will seek food when it is hungry. Humans perform a behavior which will get him food to meet his need of hunger.In other words, Needs motivate behavior. Behavior is performed in order to satisfy a need. For particular behaviors to be performed there must be a need to be satisfied, something that creates motivation.
D. Examine how motivation is exhibited in behavior
When an individual is motivated to achieve a desired goal, he will exhibit a behavior of focus. When one needs to lose weight for a special event, the individual changes his or her eating habits to fit into the perfect outfit. Similarly if an individual is motivated to purchase a new car, he or she will work extra hours to earn more dollars to fulfill his goal at the earliest. In these cases the individual’s behavior has changed as he or she focuses through motivation to reach the goal set in mind. So, motivation drives specific behaviors which will satisfy a particular need. A student is motivated to do well on his classes and individual assignments to experience pleasure in learning something new or attaining good grades. When one feels hungry there is no room for satisfying intellectual, or self-actualization needs until the basic, physiological needs are satisfied. In a similar way, animals have a desire to mate and have offspring. But this need is set aside until the animal is well-fed, safe, and rested. In this manner motivation is exhibited in behavior.
References
Define Motivation. Retrieved on January 8, 2011 from
Drillings, Michael and O’Neil, Jr., Harold F. (1994) Motivation Theory and Research. Retrieved on January 8, 2011 from
Motivation. Retrieved on January 8, 2011 from
Motivation. Retrieved on January 8, 2011 from