Introduction
Thus, motivations for human actions are multiple, and so are the theories to explain reasons. However, Deci (1971) and Petri (1991) formulated the extrinsic motivation theory proved to be one of the most influential in motivation studies. According to this theory, people act to get tangible rewards for their actions or under certain pressure or threat of punishment (Syque, 2009). I can recall two instances of activities to which the irrelevant theory of motivation can be applied. The first incidence is the decision to take up study and obtain a diploma. The extrinsic factors that motivated this action included obvious financial and career development benefits of having a respectable profession (Sherman and Kim, 2002).
Moreover, the pressure of my parents and understanding of the fact that education is necessary also played their roles in motivating my decision extrinsically. Another example is my work during study. The extrinsic factor that motivates this activity is the need to pay tuition fees and earn money for living and development (Reeve, 2001).
Impossibility of Extrinsic Motivation Application
Examples
I can recall examples from my experience where the seemingly easy explanation through extrinsic theory does not fit. The first one is my progress in study. From the viewpoint of irrelevant motivation theory, progress in a study is conditioned by rewards promised by the university and pressure from parents and teachers (Sherman and Kim, 2002). However, I am convinced that my study progress results from my understanding of study importance for my future, and no extrinsic factors could form this understanding.
The second example is my diligence and desire to perform flawlessly at work. Again, from the perspective of the extrinsic motivation theory, these phenomena are explained by the tangible rewards the job brings, i. e. money and potential pressure from bosses. But in my case, I can state that I adopted a positive attitude to work before any remarks from supervisors and without thoughts of possible benefits (Reeve, 2001). This is just my attitude to fulfilling my duties, and without this attitude, any extrinsic pressure or rewards would improve my performance.
Personal Satisfaction and Productivity
Based on the examples above, my personal experience, and the theories of motivation formulated by Deci (1971) and Petri (1991), McCelland (1975), Burnham (1976), etc., it can be assumed that in motivating people’s actions on the whole, and my actions in the presented examples, in particular, personal satisfaction and productivity play an important role. When a person is motivated by something, this motivation is mainly conditioned by the need for personal fulfillment. Therefore, if a person has an experience of the beneficial activity, they will choose to do that activity than another one (Syque, 2009).
As well potential personal satisfaction can also motivate the person to act. So, naturally, personal satisfaction affects a person’s productivity in the study and workplace. Under the current conditions of quickly developing technology and the shift of the role of human beings in the working environment, new theories are to be compiled to explain human motivations more comprehensively.
New Theory Proposal
Thus, the new theory to be developed might include the internal and external motivations, the role of genetic processes in any human being, the importance of upbringing and development environment for the formation of personality, and the motivation of this personality’s actions (Reeve, 2001). The theory can be titled the Comprehensive Socio-Biological Motivation Theory, as it will consider all social, biological, genetic, and environmental motivations for human behaviors and actions (Syque, 2009). The increased role of technology in the modern working environment should also be considered by this theory, as well as the personal satisfaction levels and their effect on the person’s productivity at study and work.
References
Reeve, J. (2001). Understanding Motivation and Emotion, 3e, John Wiley & Sons.
Sherman, D.K. and Kim, H.S. (2002). Affective Perseverance: The Resistance of Affect to Cognitive Invalidation, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(2), 224-237.
Syque. (2009). Motivation Theories. Web.