motivation, its process, theories, and views of Marshmallow Test and Alderfer.
22/June/2025 19:51
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Here is a detailed explanation of motivation, its process, theories, and views of Marshmallow Test and Alderfer.
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✅ Meaning of Motivation (in Brief)
Motivation is the internal drive or external stimulus that pushes an individual to act towards a goal. It is what stimulates people to work, stay committed, and achieve personal or organizational objectives.
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✅ Definition of Motivation
> Koontz and O'Donnell:
“Motivation is a general term applying to the entire class of drives, desires, needs, wishes and similar forces.”
> Stephen P. Robbins:
“Motivation is the process that accounts for an individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal.”
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✅ Process of Motivation
1. Need Recognition
– A person identifies a gap or desire (e.g., hunger, growth, recognition).
2. Drive
– An inner urge is formed to fulfill the need.
3. Goal-Directed Behavior
– The person takes action to satisfy the need.
4. Need Satisfaction
– Once the goal is achieved, the need is fulfilled.
5. Feedback/Loop
– Leads to motivation for new or higher needs.
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✅ Context Theories of Motivation (Content Theories)
These theories focus on what motivates individuals:
1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Levels:
Physiological (food, water)
Safety (job security)
Social (belonging, friendship)
Esteem (recognition, status)
Self-actualization (growth, creativity)
A person cannot move to a higher level until the previous level is satisfied.
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2. Alderfer’s ERG Theory
A modification of Maslow’s theory:
E – Existence needs: Physical and material needs (similar to Maslow’s 1 & 2).
R – Relatedness needs: Interpersonal and social relationships (Maslow’s 3).
G – Growth needs: Self-development and creativity (Maslow’s 4 & 5).
Key Point: Unlike Maslow’s rigid hierarchy, ERG allows movement up and down the hierarchy (frustration-regression principle).
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3. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
Motivators (Intrinsic): Achievement, recognition, work itself.
Hygiene factors (Extrinsic): Pay, work conditions, policies.
Key Idea: Removing dissatisfaction doesn’t create satisfaction; motivators must be present.
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4. McClelland’s Theory of Needs
Need for Achievement (nAch): Desire to excel.
Need for Power (nPow): Desire to control or influence.
Need for Affiliation (nAff): Desire for friendly relationships.
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✅ The Marshmallow Test (Walter Mischel)
A famous experiment on delayed gratification.
Children were given a marshmallow and told they could get two marshmallows if they waited 15 minutes without eating it.
Findings: Children who delayed gratification tended to have better life outcomes – academically, socially, and emotionally.
Lesson: Self-control and future orientation are essential aspects of long-term motivation.
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✅ Alderfer’s View (ERG Theory Revisited)
Alderfer argued that:
People can be motivated by multiple needs at the same time.
If higher-level needs (growth) are blocked, people regress to lower-level needs (existence).
Thus, frustration-regression cycle explains complex human behavior better than Maslow's hierarchy.
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✅ Stories of Motivation in Detail
1. Thomas Edison
Failed over 1,000 times before inventing the lightbulb.
Motivation: Persistence, belief in purpose.
2. Colonel Sanders (KFC)
His recipe was rejected over 1,000 times before acceptance.
