Title: Motivation - Basic Concepts and Theories
Headings: Motivation – Basic Concepts and Theories
Motivation – Basic Concepts and Theories
Furthermore, literature distinguishes 2 types of factors that influence motivation:
Maslows hierarchy of needs
Alderfer’s ERG Theory
McClelland’s needs
Process cognitive theory
Expectancy theory by Vroom
Reactance theory by Brehm
Equity theory by Adams
Other theories
Our book recommendations on motivation

Content: direction – what a person is trying to do
effort – how hard a person is trying
persistence – how long a person keeps on trying
Direction might point the way, but effort is what establishes momentum, and persistence determines how far the change is carried (in time as well as in magnitude of outcome). ( from Client-centered Direction) Hence, Arnold’s 3 components are suitable to describe the level of motivation a person or a team shows. This concept does not give any reasons for motivation. Furthermore, literature distinguishes 2 types of factors that influence motivation: Intrinsic – self generated factors (responsibility, freedom to act, scope to use and develop skills and abilities, interesting and challenging work, opportunities for advancement) – they have a deeper and longer-term effect
Extrinsic – what is done for people to motivate them (rewards, promotion, punishment) – they have an immediate and powerful effect, but won’t necessarily last long
In other words: Intrinsic motivation comes from a person’s internal desire to do something. Reasons may be that a particular activity gives him or her pleasure, helps to develop a particular skill of seems to be the right thing to do in moral / ethical terms. Extrinsic motivation is generated by external factors that are less related to the particular task. Most influential is the Needs (content) Theory
All Needs theories focus on specific needs people want to satisfy. There are several theories that explain motivation as a result of these needs.