Chapter 4 - Motivation

Question- What is Motivation? Explain its nature and characteristics. 

Or
What is the role of Motivation in Learning.
Or
What is the Motivation.
Or
Explain the Nature and Characteristics of Motivation.
Or
Explain the role of Motivation in learning.

Answer-

Motivation includes all those internal conditions which begin in activity or sustain it. Motive is different from stimulus because it is there even before the stimulus. In the absence of internal motive, there cannot be any response, however intense the external stimulus may be. Motive includes those internal factors which control the activities of the living being. It does not include mechanical or reflex actions because they depend on the physical structure and the external environment. Such mechanical behaviour is observed in less developed animals. Their changing physical and mental conditions control their behaviour. It is said that the horse can be taken to the water, but no amount of effort can make it drink. Inspite of the presence of the water, the horse will drink only when it feels thirsty. Motives depend on the changing physical conditions and past experience. A burnt child dreads the fire because the memory of burning is always present in his mind. Thus, it is clear that motivation explains the ‘why’ of behaviour. Why a certain man behaves in a particular way can be known by an inquiry into his internal motivating factors. Sometimes this ‘why’ can be inferred from external behaviour also. For example, the influence of the sex motive can be inferred by a particular behaviour of a pair male and female. The cause of a particular behaviour towards the child shows tender motive in the mother. There can be one motive behind different actions and different motives behind the same action. A man may throw a rupee towards a beggar due to disgust and also due to pity. A soldier may save a person from drowning due to altruistic motive and also to take him to gallows. Social psychology explains the real motives behind the behaviour and experience of the individual in social situations.

Definition of Motivation

(1) N.L. Nunn, “Anything that initiates activity, either internal or external, is motivation.”

(2) M. Bernard, “Motivation is the stimulation of action towards a particular objective where previously there was little or no objective.”

(3) R.S. Woodworth, “A motive is a state or set of the individual which disposes him for certain behaviour and for seeking certain goals.”

(4) Mc Dougall, “Motives are condition physiological and psychological within the organism that dispose it to act in certain ways.”

(5) M. Young, “Motive is an internal state of an individual which induces him to activity.”

(6) T.P. Guilford, “A motive is and particular internal factor or condition that tends to initiate and sustain activity.”

Nature and Characteristics of Motivation

The analysis of the place of motive in experience and behaviour as given above, clarifies the general characteristics of motivated behaviour. Roughly speaking, these characteristics are as follows :

(1) Energy Mobilization : The first and the most important characteristic of the motivated behaviour is energy mobilization. Even the most peaceful animal becomes frightening in times of emergency. This is due to the mobilization of energy. This process of the mobilization of energy is chemical as well as physical. This process cannot be perceived directly but when there is some difficulty in the attainment of the object of motive this process is seen in the form of extra energy. The animal tries to attain the object with as much energy as is the impetus of the motive behind it. A hungry dog-takes bread even while beaten. The labour which a student puts in to attain a first vision in the examination is never seen in his ordinary life. It is often observed that some of the persons brought up in the poor families are very persevering and laborious. Some men perform such inhuman actions due to the sex urge which they would never do in ordinary conditions. When the need is excessive, the process of metabolism in the body is also increased in the same proportion and the nervous energy also increase in the same ratio.

(2) Persistence : Another characteristic of motivated experience or behaviour is persistence. A man cannot leave his work without achieving the goal of his motive. A nomad wandering in search of food keeps on roaming so long as he does not get it. The fighting persons keep on fighting till either of them is down or runs away. Sometimes some motivated actions go on for years. A young man in search of a job goes on labouring for several years till he gets a suitable one. A lover determined to conquer his beloved does not leave her even in the face of great difficulties. Even in the motivated behaviour of cripples and weak persons, much patience and persistence is observed.

(3) Variability : Another characteristic of the motivated behaviour is variability. A motivated person, has a goal, hence he continuously changes his activities with the view of attainment of goal. A person trapped in a house on fire tries new devices to come out of it. Sometimes he tries this way, some times that and this change of behaviour goes on till he succeeds in coming out of the house. A man with the goal of earning money tries many ways for it. Sometimes he purchases a lottery ticket while at other times he is busy in some business. In fact, the motivated person goes on changing his ways till he arrives at the way successful for the achievement of the aim. In the begining his behaviour is trial and error, but after he knows the successful way he always follows it.

(4) Restlessness for the Attainment of the Goal : The motivated behaviour is goal-directed. The restlessness observed in such a behaviour persists of long as the goal is not achieved. For example, the goal of hunger is food. Till the food is taken, there is persisting restlessness due to hunger. After the food is taken, this restlessness disappears. The goal may be conscious or unconscious. Sometimes the man knows the goal of his motive, but at other times it is only after long efforts and trial and error that he knows the real object which will bring his restlessness to an end. The physical and the mental motives have physical and mental goal respectively. It is this goal which distinguishes between mechanical and the motivated behaviour.

(5) Extinction of Restlessness After the attainment of the Goal : Another characteristic of motivated behaviour is the extinction of restlessness after the achievement of the goal. The restlessness of the motivated behaviour exhibits itself in following ways of the fulfilment of some internal want or desire and extinguishes as soon as that want or desire is fulfilled. A thirsty man roams in search of water. As he gets water and drinks it the restlessness is gone.

There are only two ways to get rid of the restlessness of the motive: Either the tension should be removed or it should be changed. The tension should be removed by the attainment of the object. Sometimes conflicts are observed due to tensions between more than one motives at the same time. Some tensions may be removed immediately while some take days or years to be extinguished.

Learning And Motivation

Motivation plays an important role in learning. It is the psychological factor in learning. It not only sets in motion the activity resulting in learning, but also sustains and directs it. It is “the central factor in the effective management of the process of learning”, (Kelly) because in the process of motivation, the learner’s internal energies are directed towards the goal objects of his environment.

(1) It Energizes Behaviour : Motivation gives the child energy to learn. It channelizes behaviour and also sustains. It initiates the tendency to act and learn for achievement. Through reward and punishment, the child can be initiated to learn for better achievement.

(2) It Directs Behaviour : Motivation directs the behaviour towards specific goals. Through motivation, child’s behaviour can be directed towards learning and attaining good academic achievement.

(3) Selection of Behaviour Pattern : Motivation helps to select the behaviour pattern. Through motivation, a child can select such behaviour patterns that may facilitate learning and achievement.

(4) Helps in Developing Interests : “Interest provides an initial of attracting the attention of pupils” (Hayrack) and motivation helps in developing interest within the pupils for learning various school subjects as well as extra curricular activities.

(5) Acquisition of Knowledge : Motivation helps in the acquisition of knowledge. Through adequate motivation, teacher can initiate the pupils to attain more and more knowledge.

(6) Adequate motivation helps in developing good qualities and habits and initiates a child towards high ideals and morals. Through motivation a teacher can initiate the child learns good things and forms a good character.

(7) Development of Social Qualities : Education aims at the all-round development of an individual. Through motivation a teacher can initiate the pupils to take part in group activities and develop the feeling of co-operation and other social qualities.

(8) Development of Sense of Discipline : Motivation also help in developing a sense of discipline. Through adequate motivation, a teacher may maintain discipline in the class and also outside.

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