470 UNIT 5 ASSINGNMENT
Human behavior relies on a drive. Whether it’s looking for food to survive or trying to score a certain grade in the exams. All our behavior stems from somewhere and there is always a reason for doing the things that we do. A drive refers to the force that propels one to do something in a certain way, in order to get something valuable to us in return. Motivation is similar to this and it is the intense urge that pushes an individual to meet a specific need or want. There are different types of motivational factors. Some are from within us (intrinsic) while some are from without ourselves (extrinsic).
Researchers in the various fields, have come to discover that certain types of motivation are good for certain tasks or certain behaviors to persist. For example, extrinsic motivation has been known to be pretty helpful where it comes to performance of tasks that don’t require much cognitive capacity or effort. However, for tasks that are non-rudimentary, the motivation that comes from within has been said to work better in terms of performance.
If one were to do an experiment having to groups perform a seemingly complex task, the group which is promised an apparently “high incentive” would perform differently from the group that has to do the task without being promised anything for their achievement and performance. It’s thus clear that human beings are constantly involved in goal-oriented behavior.
We all have goals that we set for ourselves and others are set for us by others to achieve. Goals vary in their reachability, some are high while others are relatively easier to attain. The higher the goal, the harder it probably is to achieve. The more the challenge presented by trying to attain a certain goal, the higher the value of the incentive that is attached to reaching that specific goal, thus the higher the motivation or drive. This is supported by many instances. Nobody would be motivated to target and achieve a goal that is tasking only to get nothing in return for it. Even if the reward is psychological e.g. a reinforcement, personal happiness or self-gratification any reward is better than no reward. Motivation is therefore lower when nothing is pegged to the goal.
Statement 2
Human beings are wired in unique ways. For us to achieve certain goals we require some form of motivation. However, the demand law states that there is more to accomplishing a task are reaching a certain achievement that just the mere incentive or reward that is attached to achieving that specific goal. If one is faced with more than one task there is a tendency to analyze these tasks and look at which one demands more, i.e. which task is more tasking, generally, the average person will chose to go for a task that demand less work or input. This probably varies with will power. The likelihood that one will achieve a certain objective is thus hinged on what it would cost the individual to do so.
The principle of least effort is related to the demand law. People tend to opt for goals that require less input in terms of the effort required from them, whether it is mental effort or physical effort. Our minds naturally look at what we have on our plate, what we think we want to achieve and what seems easier to achieve, this is why nearly everyone likes shortcuts to getting to a certain destination, simply because it requires less from us (Deckers, 2005).
The law of less work, similar to the principle of least effort, suggests that we are oriented toward goals and tasks that require us to put in less work rather than more work, we simply don’t like getting tired and fatigued, it’s natural. All three of these are intertwined, we tend to go for goals that demand less from us such goals are essentially less tedious in terms of the effort, and work put it.
There is dissonance between the first and the second statement. The incompatibility shows itself in a very clear way. It is almost paradoxical that the higher a goal, the more difficult the goal thus the higher the motivation when we already know that people tend to go for tasks that are simpler, that demand less effort and less work or input from us both physically and mentally. However, as mentioned before research has actually proved this concept. Incentives given to a person only work depending on the type of motivation and the type of task.
Rudimentary tasks are simple tasks, clear direct and straight to the point. Such tasks require less intrinsic motivation and because of their simplicity, when pegged with a reward performance and achievements are likely to be on the high. This is because extrinsic motivation works well for such tasks. Intrinsic motivation however, works better for tasks that require a bit more thinking and planning (Deci & Ryan, 1988). Not only this, but task which are perceived to be harder both psychologically and physically. For instance, getting a well-toned body and maintaining a proper work out to gain muscles and lose weight requires a lot of discipline and volition. It requires will power, and the goal can thus be achieved and worked toward though it might be a challenge and it might be tough, the satisfaction that comes with achieving the goal is quite splendid.
It’s also important to note that the discrepancy between the two statements can also be narrowed down by looking at the motivating factor in depth. For instance, one might want to work hard to make extra money to spend. This is a motivating factor, however, we all know that if we don’t have a choice and the job at hand is difficult the motivation switches from not just the money but to survival since if we don’t have money there is very little we can do to provide for our basic needs.
References
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1988). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior. Contemporary Sociology (Vol. 17). http://doi.org/10.2307/2070638
Deckers, L. (2005). Motivation: Biological, psychological, and environmental, 2nd ed. [References]. (2005).
