The Psychology of Motivation
Understanding What Drives Us
What Is Motivation?
Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and sustains goal-oriented behaviours.
It plays a critical role in achieving success and personal fulfilment.
Warm-Up Activity
Discuss with a partner:
  • What is something you are currently motivated to achieve?
  • What drives your motivation for this goal?
  • Share a story of a time when you felt highly motivated.
Types of Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation
Driven by internal rewards like personal satisfaction.
Extrinsic Motivation
Driven by external rewards like money, grades, or praise.
Theories of Motivation
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Basic needs to self-actualization.
Self-Determination Theory
Competence, autonomy, and relatedness.
Breakout Room Time
It's time for some group discussion! In your breakout rooms, please consider and discuss the following questions:
  1. What motivates you more: intrinsic rewards or extrinsic rewards?
  1. How do you overcome a lack of motivation?
Factors Influencing Motivation
Personal Factors
Interests, values, and goals play a significant role in shaping an individual's motivation.
Environmental Factors
Social support, rewards, and recognition from the external environment can greatly influence motivation levels.
Strategies to Enhance Motivation
Goal Setting
Clear, achievable goals are essential for enhancing motivation. By setting specific and attainable objectives, individuals can focus their efforts and track their progress effectively.
Positive Reinforcement
Rewarding desired behaviours is a powerful strategy to boost motivation. This approach encourages repetition of positive actions and reinforces the connection between effort and success.
Self-Reflection
Regularly assess progress and adjust strategies. This practice allows individuals to stay on track, identify areas for improvement, and maintain a sense of purpose and direction.
Video Introduction
Dan Pink - The Candle Problem
We will now watch a short video that explores how traditional rewards can sometimes backfire and what truly drives motivation.
Let's Watch!
The Candle Problem - Key Points
  • Key Point 1: Traditional rewards are not always effective for enhancing motivation.
  • Key Point 2: Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are critical for motivation.
  • Key Point 3: Intrinsic motivation often leads to higher satisfaction and better performance.
Key Vocabulary from the Video
Incentive
A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something
Contingent Motivators
Rewards that are given only if a specific task is completed
Intrinsic Drive
The drive to do things for their own sake, because they matter
Functional Fixedness
A cognitive bias that limits a person to use an object only in the way it is traditionally used
Vocabulary Review Exercise
Fill in the gaps with the correct vocabulary word:
  1. The __________ for completing the project on time was a bonus.
  1. She has a strong __________ to help others.
  1. The company offered __________ to employees who met their targets.
  1. Overcoming __________ allowed them to see the box as a platform, not just a container.
Vocabulary Review Exercise Answers
Here are the correct answers for the vocabulary review exercise:
  1. The incentive for completing the project on time was a bonus.
  1. She has a strong intrinsic drive to help others.
  1. The company offered contingent motivators to employees who met their targets.
  1. Overcoming functional fixedness allowed them to see the box as a platform, not just a container.
Breakout Room Time
It's time for another group discussion! In your breakout rooms, please consider and discuss the following questions:
  1. How do you stay motivated in challenging situations?
  1. What strategies can you use to enhance motivation in your daily life?
Class Discussion
  • Share your group's key points on staying motivated in challenging situations
  • Discuss the most effective strategies for enhancing motivation in daily life
Unlock Your Full Potential: Tips for Staying Motivated
Achieving your goals starts with cultivating a strong sense of motivation. Begin by setting clear, achievable milestones and celebrate each small victory along the way. Surround yourself with a supportive network of positive influences that can uplift and inspire you.
It's also crucial to practice self-reflection, regularly evaluating your progress and adjusting your strategies as needed. Most importantly, find ways to connect your daily tasks to your deeper personal values and long-term aspirations. When you can clearly see how your work aligns with your greater purpose, it becomes infinitely easier to stay motivated and overcome any obstacles that arise.
Overcoming Motivational Challenges
We all face moments where our motivation wanes. As a class, let's take time to identify common barriers to staying driven and brainstorm practical solutions together. Sharing our personal experiences with overcoming motivational challenges can also provide valuable insights and inspiration for one another.
Conclusion
As we reach the end of our lesson on the psychology of motivation, let's take a moment to reflect on the key points we've covered. Throughout this session, we've explored various aspects of what drives us, different types of motivation, and strategies to enhance our motivational levels.
We've looked into theories of motivation, examined factors that influence our drive, and even analysed Dan Pink's insights on intrinsic motivation through 'The Candle Problem'. Remember, motivation is a complex but crucial aspect of human behaviour that impacts every area of our lives.
Encouragement: To put our learning into practice, I'd like to challenge each of you to set a motivational goal for the week ahead. This could be related to your studies, personal life, or any area where you'd like to see improvement. This exerse will not only help reinforce the concepts we've learned but also give you a practical understanding of how motivation works in real-life scenarios.
By setting and working towards this goal, you'll have the opportunity to apply various strategies we've discussed, such as clear goal-setting, positive reinforcement, and self-reflection. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, so pay attention to what motivates you along the way.
Additional Resources
Book Recommendation
"Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" by Daniel Pink
Online Materials
Articles and videos on motivation