MOTIVATION By P.Muthupandi

SYNOPSIS Introduction. Meaning. Definitions. What are motives ? - Primary Motives. - Secondary Motives. Nature. Motivation Cycle. Types of motivation. How to motivate the learner? Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs. Characteristics of Self-actualized Persons. Conclusion.

Introduction. Motivation plays a vital role in every sphere of life. Our success and achievement in life depends on motivation. It is always present at the root of all human activities. Motivation is said to be the ‘The Heart of Learning’, ‘Golden Road to Learning’ and ‘Potent factor in Learning’.

Meaning Motivation is derived from the Latin word ‘movere’ meaning to ‘to move’’. It is an art of inculcating and stimulating interest in studies and in other such activities. It is the process of arousing action, sustaining activity in progress, regulating and directing pattern of activity. It is the combined action of desires and incentives, pushes and pulls.

DEFINITIONS J.W.Atkinson : “The term Motivation refers to the arousal of tendency to act to produce one or more effects.” Maslow: “Motivation is the universal characteristic of every organism state of affair. It is constant, never-ending, fluctuating and complex phenomenon.”

DEFINITIONS Good: “Motivation is the process of arousing sustaining and regulating activity.” Crow &Crow: “Motivation is considered with the arousal of the interest in learning which is essential for learning.”

DEFINITIONS Lowell: “Motivation maybe defined more formally as a psychological of internal process initiated by some need, which leads to the activity which will satisfy that need.” Lefton: “Motivation is an internal condition initiated by drives, needs or desires and producing goal directed behaviour.”

What are Motives? Motives are the dynamic force that energies all behaviour. What we do and the manner, in which we do it, is governed by the motives behind it. Motives are of two types. They are;  1) Primary and  2) Secondary

Primary Motives It refers to the biological and physiological motives. These motives ensure the preservation of life. They are inborn and innate. They are found in all organisms. For example: hunger, thirst, sex, sleep, rest.

Secondary Motives It refers to the Psychological or Social Motives. They are acquired like other forms of learned behaviour in the course of satisfaction of the biological needs. Examples: The need for belongingness, need for security, desire of gaining status and recognition, power and achievement.

Nature of Motives 1. It is a psychological and physiological phenomenon. 2. It is the internal condition of the learner. 3. It is not the end but the means; it provides the way to the end or goal. 4. It is not the main but the complementary part of learning. 5. It leads to the manifestation of activity. 6. It is affected by physical and mental as well as internal and external conditions or circumstances. 7. It is the driving state within the organism.

MOTIVATIOAL CYCLE Reduction of need and getting relief in tension Period of Tension Triggered by stimulus Need, Desire or Want Incentive or Relief

MOTIVATIOAL CYCLE The above cycle shows that Motivation comprises a series of stages that we are continually going through. Each series begins with A Stimulus : perhaps a bodily need or a cue in the environment. Motive : The stimulus triggers a motive sort of arousal for action of one kind or another.

MOTIVATIOAL CYCLE Behaviour : The motive in turn, activates behaviour. Goal attainment : This behaviour leads to goal attainment. Rest : The motive is satisfied and the chain of motivation is complete.

Types of Motivation The Motivation can be broadly classified into two kinds. Natural / Intrinsic Motivation It is the state of an individual to do a task for getting pleasure out of it Example: A student deriving pleasure from solving mathematical problem Artificial / Extrinsic Motivation It is the state of an individual to do a task for not getting pleasure out of it but for getting prizes. Example : Learning a skill to earn the livelihood.

How to motivate the pupils to learn? Child Centered Approach. Linking the new learning with the Past. Use of effective methods, aids and devices. Definiteness of the purposes and goals. Knowledge of the results and Progress. Praise and Reproof. Rewards and Punishment. Competition and Co-operation. Ego-involvement. Development of proper attitude. Appropriate learning situation.