Motivation

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Positive Psychology

Learning Objectives

What is motivation?

1. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic motivation
2. How does motivation help in learning?
3. How can you improve your motivation?

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What is motivation?

Motivation is the word derived from the word 'motive' which means needs, desires, wants or drives within the individuals. It is the process of stimulating people to take action to accomplish the goals. In the workplace and in college, the psychological factors stimulating people's behavior can be desire for money and or success.

Two Types of Motivation

Extrinsic - desire to do something that comes from an external source

Example - Parent wanting to get student to improve grades - offers $100 for every A.

Two Types Continued...

Internal motivation - you work toward something because you want to. Desire comes from within rather than relying on external rewards or consequences.

Example - I am motivated to play the piano because I like the sound of piano music.

Implications for Learning

Intrinsically motivated students tackle assignments willingly and are eager to learn for the sake of learning. Typically students who are intrinsically motivated have grit and perseverance to succeed.

Implications for Learning cont...

Extrinsically motivated students may need to be enticed to learn and are often only interested in learning easy tasks or doing the minimum.

Richard Lavoie: Six Ps of Motivation

1. Praise: Student who are motivated by recognition or belonging will be motivated by sincere words of praise.
2. Power: Students who want control over their environment or choices are motivated by power to control their environment.
3. Projects: Some students are motivated to work on projects that bring together various topics or disciplines.
4. Prizes: Students who are drawn to status, recognition, and power will find prizes motivating.
5. Prestige: The need to feel important and needed is motivation for students are status or prestige-driven.
6. People: Students who are people-oriented are especially drawn to activities that allow them to work with people and build relationships.

Internally Motivated Students...

Are motivated by the desire to gain recognition from others and earn good grades. A performance goal is, “I want to get an A in this subject” because I want to learn more.

Motivation Directs Behavior

Individuals set goals for themselves and direct their behavior in order to achieve goals.

Effort and Energy

Motivation leads to increase effort and energy

Determines whether a student pursues a task enthusiastically and wholeheartedly

Persistence

People are more likely to begin a task they actually want to do.

More likely to continue to work at it until it is completed

More likely to work through frustrations.

Thinking and Learning

Motivation affects what people pay attention to and how effectively they process information.

Motivation improves a person’s effort to truly understand something

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Locus of Control

Placing the responsibility for what happens in your life on yourself. If you succeed, it is because you put in the effort. If you fail a test, it is because you did not study.

This is called in internal locus of control.

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Locus of Control cont.

Students with an external locus of control believe that others are to blame when they do not do well.

Improving Motivation

Join a club, extra-curricular activities (sense of belonging)

Strive to be the best you can be

Find something interesting about what you are learning