MOTIVATION AND WORKMOTIVATION AND WORK

MOTIVATIONMOTIVATION A need or desire that energizes behavior A need or desire that energizes behavior

and directs it toward a goal.and directs it toward a goal. Nature (the physiological)Nature (the physiological) Nurture (the cognitive and cultural)Nurture (the cognitive and cultural) Example of Aron Ralston’s motivationExample of Aron Ralston’s motivation

to live. Hiking accident in 2003to live. Hiking accident in 2003

FOUR PERSPECTIVESFOUR PERSPECTIVES Instinct theoryInstinct theory (replaced by (replaced by

evolutionary perspective)evolutionary perspective) Drive-reduction Drive-reduction theory-interaction theory-interaction

between inner pushes and external between inner pushes and external pulls. Drives usually distinguished pulls. Drives usually distinguished from motives. Drive-strong biologicalfrom motives. Drive-strong biological

component-hunger, thirst in contrastcomponent-hunger, thirst in contrast

to motives that are urges which are to motives that are urges which are

mainly learned.mainly learned.

Physiological aim of drive-reduction is Physiological aim of drive-reduction is homeostasis.homeostasis.

ArousalArousal theory-urge for optimum level theory-urge for optimum level of stimulation. Both high and low levels of stimulation. Both high and low levels of arousal tend to lowerof arousal tend to lower

performance. Moderate arousal usually performance. Moderate arousal usually results in best performance.results in best performance.

Inverted U function.Inverted U function. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs-Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs- ranking ranking

of needs- if lower need is unsatisfied,of needs- if lower need is unsatisfied, there is motivation to first satisfy thatthere is motivation to first satisfy that need first before seeking to satisfy need first before seeking to satisfy

other needs.other needs.

Physiology of HungerPhysiology of Hunger When blood glucose levels drop-hunger increases

Insulin secretedby pancreascontrolsblood glucose

Lateral hypothalmushunger triggering hormone orexin Ventromedial hypo- thalamus depresses hunger

GHRELIN –hormone arousing hunger secreted by empty stomach

Leptin –hunger suppressing protein secreted by fat cells

PYY-digestive hormone all suppresses hunger.

Psychology of HungerPsychology of Hunger

Taste preferences-Taste preferences-

Hot cultures like hot spicesHot cultures like hot spices

India –averages 10 spices/mealIndia –averages 10 spices/meal

Finland-2 spices/mealFinland-2 spices/meal

Food aversions during pregnancyFood aversions during pregnancy

peak about 10 week when embryopeak about 10 week when embryo

most vulnerable to toxins.most vulnerable to toxins.

Social influences on motivationSocial influences on motivation NEED TO BELONGNEED TO BELONG

Boosted ancestors’ survival rate.Boosted ancestors’ survival rate.

Influences our thoughts and Influences our thoughts and emotions.emotions.

“ “What makes your life meaningful?”What makes your life meaningful?”

May conform to avoid rejectionMay conform to avoid rejection

May remain in abusive relationshipMay remain in abusive relationship

Motivated to avoid ostracismMotivated to avoid ostracism

Motivation at WorkMotivation at Work Industrial/organization (I/O) psychologyIndustrial/organization (I/O) psychology

Human factors (engineering) psychologyHuman factors (engineering) psychology

Personnel psychologyPersonnel psychology

Organizational psychologyOrganizational psychology

Personnel psychologyPersonnel psychology

Interview illusionInterview illusion Structured interviewsStructured interviews Unstructured interviewsUnstructured interviews Performance appraisal vulnerable to Performance appraisal vulnerable to

bias:bias:

Halo errorsHalo errors

Leniency and severity errorsLeniency and severity errors

Recency errorsRecency errors

Organizational psychologyOrganizational psychology How to maximize How to maximize achievementachievement

motivationmotivation

Self-disciplineSelf-discipline appears to be a more appears to be a more accurate predictor of school accurate predictor of school performance, attendance, and performance, attendance, and graduation honors than intelligence.graduation honors than intelligence.

Example: B.F. SkinnerExample: B.F. Skinner

Satisfaction and engagementSatisfaction and engagement

Positive moods contribute to Positive moods contribute to creativity, persistence, and creativity, persistence, and helpfulness.helpfulness.

Engaged employees(working with Engaged employees(working with passion and feeling a connection to passion and feeling a connection to company) result in less turnover, company) result in less turnover, higher productivity, greater profits.higher productivity, greater profits.

Larry Brown (Detroit Pistons) 4-5 Larry Brown (Detroit Pistons) 4-5 positive comments to every 1 positive comments to every 1 negative commentnegative comment

LeadershipLeadership

Task leadership-setting standards,Task leadership-setting standards, organizing workorganizing work Social leadership-mediating conflicts Social leadership-mediating conflicts

and building high achieving teamsand building high achieving teams Harley-Davidson CEO changed Harley-Davidson CEO changed

leadership from command and leadership from command and control to joint-vision processcontrol to joint-vision process

Unique jobs? p. 498Unique jobs? p. 498