What Is Motivation

Principals of Management Man-301

Kamber Kirby

Written Assignment 5

What is motivation? What makes a person motivated? Motivation involves a person wanting to do something or it is what makes a person determined to do a good job. “Motivation is simply the result of the interaction of a person’s internal needs and external influences, which determine how a person will behave” (Plunkett, Attner, & Allen, 2008). There are different factors that can motivate people. For example, a pleasant work environment, opportunity for advancement, and being rewarded for great behavior are factors that can motivate people to do a better job. If an employee was subject to an unpleasant working environment and was not respected as an individual or their hard work, then they will likely not be very motivated.

There are two types of theories of motivation that are explored by companies. The first type is content theories. Content theories look at a person’s needs in order to motivate people. These theories suggest that manager’s figure out what their workers needs are and try to satisfy or meet their needs. In return, if employees’ needs are met, then they will be more motivated to do a better job because they feel respected because management met their needs. Management looks at 5 basic levels of needs of an individual, which are physical, safety, social, esteem, and self-realization needs; and they try to do what they can to meet those needs.

Another type motivation theory is process theories. Process theories focus on an individual’s behavior. “’Process theories explain how employees choose behaviors to meet their needs and how they determine whether their choices were successful” (Plunkett, Attner, & Allen, 2005). One of the process theories is the expectancy theory. This theory suggests that people look at the possibilities on basis anticipated work or reward. They look at the possible result if they perform well, whether they receive a reward, and if so is it...