Motivation and De-Motivation - Assignment Example

1. 1 Explain why Fred is de-motivated. Be specific and detailed.
2. Introduction

Motivation indeed is a psychological process and an essential component of an individual’s behavior. It is a process that arouses, energizes, directs, and sustains a particular behavior (Ayeni and Popoola 2). Motivation initiates primarily due to a physiological deficiency or needs that trigger behavior aimed at a goal incentive. An individual’s motivation would be ineffective if it doesn’t inculcate three basic ingredients; intensity, direction, and persistence of effort (Klein 152). Therefore, one needs to induce the three preceding components to become highly motivated in whatever he/she does.

2. The Case of Fred Mertz

Fred Mertz is an undergraduate student of computer sciences, having no interest in this field. He only opted for this field to attain a good job and salary at the end of the day. Else than that, his interest in computer sciences was nothing more than a way to make big money. Upon hearing about the decreased demand for computer scientists in the market, his motivational level has decreased at an alarming rate and he has become a below-average student in the class.

3. Reason for Fred’s De-motivation

Some of the eminent reasons for Fred’s de-motivation are as follows:

• Wrong Selection of Field and Vague Goal Description

Fred’s prime goal is to graduate and get a good job. He could have done this by opting for a field in which he has an interest the very fact that he has no interest in this field and the consequences would be alarming at the end.

• Fred’s Expectancy; Not to Get a Good Job

According to Vroom’s VIE Theory; people will be motivated because they perceive that their effort and performance will lead to a desired outcome. Work motivation is very much dependent upon the perceived association between performance and outcome. Individuals do change their behavior after they predict the outcome (Isaac, Zerbe,d Pitt 213). Below is an illustration of expectancy theory:

Fred lacks both instrumentality and valence to become a computer science graduate and afterwards, get a good job. After knowing about the declining demand for computer scientists, his expectancy to get a good job has declined a lot. As his expectancy to get the desired reward and outcome is lacking, he is de-motivated to perform well and graduate with flying colors.

 Thus, Fred’s vague and non-challenging goal, and his non-intense, non-directed, and in-persistent effort to become a computer scientist have made him de-motivated. His goal doesn’t drive such kind of behavior that can stimulate him to exhibit an effort, needed to be motivated and successful in the long run.

1. Q. 2 Propose a course of corrective action to increase Fred’s motivation. What you propose must be derived from the theories that we have studied, and it must include specific and detailed recommendations.

      Following are some of the detailed and specific recommendations to enhance Fred’s motivation by considering the theories studied in the class:

1. Expectancy Theory

Expectancy theory is an excellent theory to identify the cause behind Fred’s de-motivation and afterward erect it respectively. It can be explained with the help of a diagram (Swenson):

Fred isn’t displaying the desired effort needed to become a successful graduate and earn a good job. Fred needs to realize the reason behind his low effort. He should ask himself this very question, whether he wants to do this or not? Are there any other fields that intrigue him and trigger him to perform exceptionally well? One’s interest and passion to do work is very essential to excel in any field. If the person likes the work he/she is doing, he will eventually be successful in it, no matter what so ever the field is. Therefore, Fred should identify the field which attracts him the most rather than wasting his time in this field because this is not the thing he wants to do. And when he will find the answers to the above questions, he indeed will be a successful graduate.

2. Goal Setting Theory

Goals are the key to showing a desired behavior. It greatly affects one’s performance and efforts. According to the theory, goals should be specific, challenging, and internalized and one should have the ability to do it.

Taking into account the case of Fred, he should redefine his goals by considering the very fact that his interest in computer sciences is zero. He just followed the trend prevalent in society and opted for computer science. This is not something that provides him psychological satisfaction and motivation is all about psychological satisfaction. So, he should observe in himself, what is he capable of doing. Which is the field in which he can perform exceptionally well? Accordingly, he should set his goals and pursue them respectively.

In a nutshell, what Fred needs to realize is, not to follow the trend blindly. He has to erase this misconception from his mind that just flows with the wind. He needs to give himself time to see what he is capable of doing. When he will start to study something of his interest, the button of motivation will automatically” turn on” and ultimately, he will earn all those things, he is vaguely craving right now; a good graduate degree and a job.