Andrea’s Case: Motivation Theories
Monica Delgado
RCC
Abstract
Theories of motivation explain the source of motivation and attempts to describe what motivates people. In every circumstance in life, people are motivated to take some actions about issues that encounter them. In such circumstances, motivation determines the behavior of people by directing their actions, motives and drives. It is therefore important to understand the different reasons why people are motivated to think and behave in certain ways.
To understand the theories, this essay looks at a case story of Andrea with a view of explaining her circumstances. The theories focused on the discussion are; Instinct theory, the Drive theory, the Arousal theory, the Incentive theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. Through the case, this discussion seeks to apply the theories of motivation to explain the behavior of Andrea. The application of the theories of motivation will describe the reasons why Andrea’s behavior changed with the circumstances.
Andrea’s Case: Motivation Theories
Andrea’s behavior has changed as per the circumstances that face her, which presents different aspects of motivation that drives her. The behavior of Andrea in the beginning is shaped by the motivation to succeed in studies, as seen in the high SAT scores she achieves. Based on the Maslow’s needs theory, Andrea is seeking to fulfill her basic needs and expenses as she studies. Therefore, she works 30-40 hours per week so that she can achieve her basic needs of the physiology and safety. She has managed to live in an old apartment to fulfill her shelter as a primary safety need according to Maslow’s hierarchy.
The instinct theory in this case shows that the vandalizing of her apartment presents a circumstance that has changed the main drive of motivation. This is because the house is no longer providing the safety that she wanted to fulfill by signing up for the 30-40 a week hour job. According to Maslow’s needs theory, the basic factors of Andrea are greatly affected by the unsatisfied basic needs; in this case the unsafe house (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2013). Due to the psychological deficiency of safety needs, Andrea is having problems concentrating at school and finding motivation to work. The lack of motivation to work is because the job cannot fulfill the hygiene factors.
To successfully achieve the Maslow’s physiological needs, Andrea used to bike to campus so that she can save money. In saving money, Andrea was trading the comfort of a higher need in the Maslow’s hierarchy for a more basic need, lower in the priority. Andrea was trading the comfort and effectiveness of transportation for college fees by saving using a bike. However, the circumstances have changed since one of the most basic hygiene factors has been affected as the house is no longer safe for her. Therefore, the job cannot provide the hygiene factors as explained by the Herzberg’s theory.
According to the drive-reduction theory, Andrea’s drive to work should be the meeting of her basic expenses. Andrea should start working to find motivators that will give her the drive to satisfy her needs. What seems to have affected Andrea’s behavior is the alteration of her existence needs. At the same time, Andrea’s behavior is as a result of the lack of arousal to do what she is meant to do. The arousal theory of motivation indicates that people are driven to work in order to maintain an optimal psychological arousal (Kalat, 2013). In this case, Andrea has lost the main element of arousal that arouses her working; this element is the fulfillment of her personal needs and studies.
The Incentive theory of motivation explains the lack of motivation and need to find an incentive for Andrea to take back her behavior. To address the discomfort in her life, Andrea should find motivation in trying to get a better house and continue with her education. This will be in line with the Incentive theory of motivation that suggests the need for a motivational drive to reduce dissonance in various circumstances (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2013). Through the application of the theories of motivation, it was possible to understand the Andrea’s situation and the reasons for her change of behavior. Therefore, the theories of motivation give a direction on the way forward for Andrea to get back to her concentration at school and at work.
References
Kalat, J. (2013). Introduction to Psychology. New York: Cengage Learning
Pastorino, E. & Doyle-Portillo, S. (2013). What is psychology? Essentials.(2nd ed.). Belmont CA: Wadsworth.