Motivation

Motivation is an internal process which activates, guides and maintains behaviour over time.

Maslow's Hierachy of Needs:

Growth needs:

Self-actualisation (top)

• everyone's desire to become, everyones desires are different.
• everyone is capable of becoming.

Deficiency needs: 

Esteem

• self-esteem, confidence, respect, achievements

Love/belonging

• friendship, family, sexual intimacy

Safety

• security of body, employment, family, nature, resources

Physiological

• breathing, food, water, sleep, sex

Deficiency needs are critical to physical and psychological well being.

Deficiency needs to be met before progressing to growth needs.

Dominate theory which looks at the reasons as to why people explain events as they do and looks at achievement.

Motivation is influenced by attributions: (3)

stability - stable (expect success/failure majority of time) / unstable (expect failure sometimes)

locus of casuality - internal (ability) /external (luck)

locus of control - in control (effort) / out of control (examiners decision)

If one suceeds it is down to ability, if other suceeds it is down to luck.

Goals are a key factor of individuals intrinsic motivation.

Individuals are motivated to show off what they are good at.

Conception of ability + Goal orientation + Motivational climate = Goal involvement = Motivated behaviour

Motivated behaviour depends on Goal Involvement = Task/Mastery - Ego/Outcome

Task/Mastery:

• concentrate on themselves
• personal progression
• use their potential
• learn and develop from mistakes

Mastery climate, emphasis on mastery learning and individual improvement

Ego/Outcome:

• success is being the best
• compettitively focused
• give up in face of failure
• don't personally develop

Performance climate, environments stress interpersonal compettition, social comparison evokes ego involvement

Intrinsic motivation:

• Do it purely for themselves
• Independent learners / autonomous

Extrinsic motivation:

• Purpose for others
• Not done purely for themselves

Important to facilitate and inspire to encourage intrinsic motivation.

Motivational Continuum

Most self-determined if you are intrinsically motivated.

Least self-determined if you are externally motivated.

To be self-determined:

Autonomy

• to be in charge of ones behaviour
• need choice to be intrinsically motivated

Competence 

• need to feel effective at achieving desired outcomes

Relatedness

• need to authentically connect with others and feel involved in the social context

Those who are self-determined:

• have greater interest
• have greater self-esteem
• more creative

Those who are intrinsically motivated will be self determined and have a high sense of autonomy, competence and relatedness.

Encourage self-determination by:

• allowing student choice
• give a degree of freedom
• help students accomplish self selected goals
• use positive feedback
• give a purpose when planning an activity