Cognitive Motivation: Expectancy Value Approaches Chapter 8

What is Motivation? Motivation is defined as an internal state that induces a person to engage in particular behaviors Work motivation theories are concerned with the reasons why some people perform their job better than others.

What is Cognition? Information Processing Role of Expectations Role of Social Context

Tolman’s Purposive Behaviorism Holistic Study of Behavior vs reductionist (Hull) Molar Behavior Persistent (behaviors continues until the goal is reached) Consistent Pattern (behavior is not random) Selectivity (behavior is specific and directed)

Tolman’s Purposive Behaviorism Purpose and Cognition Behaviors that are directly observed not inference……..cat clawing Learning-performance distinction…finding a hotel Expectancies (behaviors lead to goals) Cognitive Map (where goals scan be found) Chain of responses instead of 1 stimulus lead to 1 response Place learning vs response learning Tolman’s theory is criticized to be lacking in detail.

Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory Molar Approach to Motivation Multiple motives Behavior = several forces that exert influence Behavior = f (P + E) Why is his Approach Cognitive? Heavily Influenced by Gestalt School Psychological needs cognitive in nature Valence

Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory The Person S= sensory information M= Motor Output I-P = Inner Personal Region Tension Psychological Needs Physiological Needs Locomotion Homeostatic in nature: Boundaries permeable and non-permeable S-M I-P

Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory The Psychological Environment Psychological Facts-Knowledge Valence Problems Definitions Facts Change Post Hoc Lacked Controls Food at the Restaurant S-M I-P Cook Leftovers in the Fridge

Expectancy Value Theory Molar Concept of Motivation Idiographic Approach This theory attempts explain how rewards lead to behavior by focusing on internal cognitive states that lead to motivation. Vroom’s theory has been adapted to the I/O field. Vroom’s theory explains motivation as a math function of expectancy, valence, and instrumentalities. Force = Expectancy x  (Valence x Instrumentalities)

Social Learning Influences on Behavior Internal Factors-knowledge experience External Factors Important Concepts (Rotter, 1954) Reinforcement Value Subjective Estimates of obtaining particular reinforcers Situational factors (past) Generalized expectations (future)

Social Learning B = E X V Heuristics: Mental Short Cuts Continuum of internality-externality Locus of control scale

Expectancy Value Theory & Need for Achievement Needs (Murray, 1938) Directional Intensity Need for achievement (McClelland, 1936) TAT (motives-content analysis) Incentive value Ta :tendency to approach or avoid Ms –motive for success; Maf-motive to avoid failure; Ps probability of success; Is –incentive value

Expectancy Value Theory & Need for Achievement Ms –motive for success; Maf-motive to avoid failure; Ps probability of success; Is –incentive value If Ms > Maf then APPROACH ACHSituations If Maf > Ms then AVOID ACHSituations Ps and Is vary from situation to situation Easy tasks maximize Ps Difficult Tasks maximize Is

Expectancy Value Theory & Need for Achievement Criticisms of Need for Achievement Lack of replication (task difficulty) Ms and Maf difficult to understand Need for Ach may be complicated and multi dimensional in nature Revisions Intrinsic vs extrinsic: High Ms low Maf achieved higher grades Performance goals vs mastery goals (Dweck 1986)

Theory of Planned Behavior Attitudes-Positive or Negative Evaluations of object event or person and is used to predict behavior. A belief is what a person thinks to be true Attitudes sometimes may not predict behaviors Certain behaviors might be contradictory Some attitudes are more important Several factors determine behavior

Theory of Planned Behavior Intentions provide us with information whether or not to perform a given action and how much effort will one expend. Perceived behavioral control is ones belief that one can perform a given behavior.

Theory of Planned Behavior Link between perceived behavioral control to behavior is dotted.. Ease or difficulty to achieve behavioral outcomes Past Behaviors Ability to overcome obstacles Perceived behavioral control is ones belief that one can perform a given behavior.

Theory of Planned Behavior Nathan Quitting Smoking Does he believe it is healthy to quit smoking? Does Nathan believe he could control the urge? Do people around him want him to quit? Does Nathan want to adhere to their expectations? Perceived behavioral control is ones belief that one can perform a given behavior.

Theory of Planned Behavior Applications-quitting to smoke, exercising, academic dishonesty, gambling etc Limitations Difficult to quantify accurately Relative importance of each belief is lost Adding additional predictors complicate the model Perceived behavioral control is ones belief that one can perform a given behavior.

Difference Locus of control vs Perceived Behavioral Control???

Social Loafing 1800s Max Ringelmann quantify work efficiency-tug- of –war Force applied by 1 individual 184 pounds In a group of seven amount of force applied by each 143 pounds Loss of motivation! Known as Ringelmann effect

Role of Expectancy in Social Loafing Collective Effort Model (Karau &Williams, 1993) Individual E Individual P Group Performance Group Outcomes Individual Outcomes

Role of Expectancy in Social Loafing Collective Effort Model (Karau &Williams, 1993) Individual E Individual P Group Performance Group Outcomes Individual Outcomes

How to reduce Social Loafing? Individual contributions are identifiable Expect contributions are unique and necessary Value the task being performed as meaningful Revise the reward structure according to the goal

How to reduce Social Loafing?

Social Impact Theory Performance in a group decreases as a function of group size (Latane, Williams, and Harkins, 1979)