Understanding Motivation

• The lecture discusses motivation, which is presented by Ms. Amjad Alsufari from the Faculty of Nursing, Batterjee Medical College

Objectives

• Understand the difference between goals and motivation
• Understand and describe the characteristics of motivation
• Differentiate between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation
• Explore the stages of the motivation cycle
• Apply motivational theories practically to improve growth

Goal vs. Motivation

• A goal is a cognitive representation of a desired state
• Motivation is the psychological driving force that enables action aimed at reaching a specific goal

Definition of Motivation

• Motivation drives and maintains goal-oriented behaviors
• Motivation is a need or desire that energizes behavior and directs it toward a goal

Motivation Defined By Experts

• B.F. Skinner defined motivation in school learning as arousing, persisting, sustaining and directing desirable behavior
• Woodworth defines motivation as the state of the individual that disposes them to certain behavior for seeking a goal

Characteristics of Motivation

• Motivation includes a personal and internal feeling
• Motivation can involve stimulating someone
• Motivation produces a goal
• Motivation can be positive or negative
• Motivation is system oriented
• Motivation is a bargaining tool

Types of Motivation

• There are two types of motivation, extrinsic and intrinsic

Extrinsic Motivation

• It is driven by external influences like rewards, promotions, or prizes
• A teacher rewarding a student for winning a debate is one example

Intrinsic Motivation

• It is a natural tendency to seek challenges and pursue personal interests
• Studying a subject without caring about grades, getting joy from simply learning, is one example

Motivation Cycle

• Need: A lack of something necessary
• Drive: State of tension or arousal
• Activity: Actions aimed at satisfying a need
• Goal: Achievement that reduces the drive
• Return to Normal State: When organism stops being active, need is no longer active

Types of Motives

• There are biological and social motives

Biological Motives

• These are physiological or primary motives
• Biological motives are very important for survival
• Biological motives are natural and exist at the time of birth
• Biological motives are activated due to imbalance in the body in order to maintain a state of equilibrium

Characteristics of Biological Motives

• They are shared by humans and animals
• They are rooted in the physiological state
• They are necessary to satisfy in order to survive

Examples of Biological Motives

• Hunger, thirst, desire for sex, oxygen, pain, elimination

Social Motives

• Social motives are learned in social groups
• Social motives can also be called secondary motives or learned motives

Examples of Social Motives

• Affiliation (relationship), aggression, altruism, achievement, and power

Theories of Motivation

• The are many theories of motivation including: Maslow's theory of hierarchical needs, Hertzberg's two-factor theory, McClelland's theory of needs, Vroom's theory of expectancy, McGregor's theory X and theory Y, and Alderfer's ERG Theory

Maslow’s Hierarchy

• Every individual has different needs, or feelings of deficiency, that drive behavioral action
• Once a need is satisfied, then it is no longer motivating
• Needs consist of hierarchy that an individual moves up as they satisfy

Levels of Needs

• Physiological/Survival needs include food, clothing, shelter, air
• Safety and security involve feeling safe and secure, absent of pain, threat, or illness
• Affiliation includes friendship, company, love, or belonging
• Esteem needs consist of self-respect, achievement, recognition, or prestige
• Self-Actualization are personal growth, self-fulfillment, and realization of full potential

Applying Motivational Theories

• SMART goals can be set (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to provide a clear roadmap for personal and professional development
• A student setting a goal to complete three chapters of their study material every week, then tracking their progress regularly demonstrates SMART targets in action

Scenario: A Nursing Student

• Sarah, a nursing student, finds it hard to stay motivated while preparing for her final exams
• She often procrastinates because she overwhelmed by the volume of material that needs to be studied
• Sarah doubts her ability to perform well and maintain focus, which reduces her drive to study even more
• Despite her passion for nursing, she finds it difficult to prioritize her tasks

Applying Maslow's Hierarchy to Sarah

• Physiological Needs: Ensure she gets adequate sleep, eats nutritious meals, and stays hydrated to maintain consistent physical energy
• Safety and Security: Create a dedicated/organized study space free from distractions, implement a structured schedule to reduce anxiety and provide a sense of control
• Affiliation Needs: Look for supportive classmates and form a study group to feel connected and motivated
• Esteem Needs: Break down study goals into smaller tasks, celebrate each accomplishment to build confidence as well as achievement
• Self-Actualization: Remind her of her long-term goal of becoming a skilled nurse, highlight how her studies contribute to this goal

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

• Intrinsic: Encourage Sarah to focus on her passion for nursing
• Mastering the material will help her care for patients effectively
• Extrinsic: Set small rewards for meeting daily or weekly study goals
• Treat herself to a snack or activity as reward for good work

Action Plan

• Develop a daily study schedule that has clear, manageable objectives
• Include short breaks to prevent burnout
• Use visual aids like flashcards and summaries to simplify complex material
• Practicing past exam questions can help with familiarity and reduce fear

Support System

• Schedule check-ins with a mentor/peer to remain accountable
• Sharing struggles with trusted family members/friends can provide emotional support