Title: 20 Most Popular Theories of Motivation in Psychology
Headings: 20 Most Popular Theories of Motivation in Psychology
20 Most Popular Theories of Motivation in Psychology
This Article Contains:
What is Motivation Psychology?
Theories of Motivation
Content Theories of Motivation
Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs
Alderfer’s ERG theory
McClelland’s achievement motivation theory
Immanuel Kant
Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory
Process Theories of Motivation
Reinforcement theory
Adams’ equity theory of motivation
Vroom’s expectancy theory
Locke’s goal-setting theory
Cognitive Theories of Motivation
Motivational Theories in Business
Theory X and Theory Y
Theory Z
The Hawthorne Effect
Motivational Theories in Sports Psychology
Optimal functioning hypothesis
Hull–Spence drive theory
Arousal-biased competition theory
Two memory systems theory
Processing efficiency theory
Textbooks on Motivation
1. Understanding Motivation and Emotion – Johnmarshall Reeve
2. Motivation: Theories and Principles – Robert C. Beck
3. Motivation – Lambert Deckers
4. Motivation and Emotion Evolutionary Physiological, Developmental, and Social Perspectives – Denys A. deCatanzaro
5. Motivation: A Biosocial and Cognitive Integration of Motivation and Emotion – Eva Dreikus Ferguson
6. Human Motivation – Robert E. Franken
7. The Psychology of Action: Linking Cognition and Motivation to Behavior – Peter M. Gollwitzer and John Bargh
8. Motivation and Self-Regulation ccross the Life Span – Jutta Heckhausen and Carol S. Dweck
9. Reclaiming Cognition: The Primacy of Action, Intention, and Emotion (Journal of Consciousness Studies) – Rafael Nunez and Walter J. Freeman
10. Motivation: Theory, Research, and Applications – Herbert L. Petri and John M. Govern
11. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: The Search for Optimal Motivation and Performance – Carol Sansone and Judith M. Harackiewicz
12. Current Directions in Motivation and Emotion – Association for Psychological Science and Kennon Sheldon
13. The Psychobiology of Human Motivation (Psychology Focus) – Hugh Wagner
A Take-Home Message
References
How useful was this article to you?
About the Author
Categories
Legal
Company Details
Contact

Content: Theories of motivation are also grouped by the field of human endeavor they apply to. Several theories relate to motivating employees where incentives and needs take a central stage as well as theories used in sports and performance psychology where affect is considered a more prominent driver of human behavior. Some of these theories are also applied to education and learning. Read our insightful post on motivation in education. Content Theories of Motivation
Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs, Alderfer’s ERG theory, McClelland’s achievement motivation theory, and Herzberg’s two-factor theory focused on what motivates people and addressed specific factors like individual needs and goals. Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs
The most recognized content theory of motivation is that of Abraham Maslow, who explained motivation through the satisfaction of needs arranged in a hierarchical order. As satisfied needs do not motivate, it is the dissatisfaction that moves us in the direction of fulfillment. Needs are conditions within the individual that are essential and necessary for the maintenance of life and the nurturance of growth and well-being. Hunger and thirst exemplify two biological needs that arise from the body’s requirement for food and water. These are required nutriments for the maintenance of life.