Motivation

By Jagdish Krishanlal Arora, Jagdish Arora, Jagdish Gambhir and J K Arora

Motivation refers to the psychological processes that drive and direct our behavior towards achieving certain goals or fulfilling specific needs. It is the force that energizes, sustains, and guides our actions, thoughts, and emotions. Motivation can arise from various sources, including internal factors like personal values, interests, and aspirations, as well as external factors like rewards, recognition, and social pressure. It plays a crucial role in influencing our decisions, shaping our attitudes, and determining the level of effort we invest in tasks. Different theories of motivation, such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, expectancy theory, and self-determination theory, provide insights into understanding the complexities of human motivation and how it impacts behavior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jagdish Krishanlal Arora
• Release date: Sep 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215544624

Book preview

Motivation plays a crucial role in influencing human behaviour and driving individuals toward specific goals or actions. Let's address your questions one by one:

The Need for Motivation: Motivation serves as a driving force that encourages individuals to take positive actions and make progress in various aspects of life. Whether it's guidance from parents, societal expectations, or personal aspirations, motivation helps shape behaviour and choices.

Motivation is a multifaceted force that influences human behaviour in numerous ways. Let's dig a bit deeper into the key aspects you mentioned:

Guidance from Parents: Parents often play a crucial role in shaping a person's values, beliefs, and work ethic. The guidance they provide helps install a sense of responsibility, discipline, and moral values. This guidance serves as a source of motivation, as individuals strive to meet the expectations set by their parents and make them proud.

Societal Expectations: Society establishes certain norms, standards, and expectations that guide individual behaviour. These expectations can be related to education, career, relationships, and more. The desire to fit into societal roles and meet these expectations can be a powerful motivator, driving individuals to excel in various areas of life.

Personal Aspirations: Internal motivations, such as personal goals, dreams, and aspirations, are fundamental drivers of behaviour. When individuals have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, they are motivated to take actions that align with those aspirations. This internal drive can be a powerful force in pushing individuals to work hard, overcome challenges, and strive for success.

Shaping Behaviour and Choices: Motivation significantly influences the decisions people make on a daily basis. It affects choices related to education, career paths, relationships, health, and overall lifestyle. Whether consciously or unconsciously, individuals are guided by their motivations in determining the direction of their lives.

In essence, motivation acts as a catalyst for personal development and growth. It provides the impetus for individuals to set goals, work towards them, and navigate the challenges that come their way. The interplay between external influences, such as guidance from parents and societal expectations, and internal factors, like personal aspirations, creates a dynamic motivational framework that shapes individual behaviour and choices.

Personal Achievements: I don't have personal experiences or achievements. However, individuals may not always achieve their goals for various reasons, such as lack of motivation, external challenges, or unforeseen circumstances.

Positive Motivation vs. Negative Motivation: Positive Motivation: This involves encouraging behaviour by offering rewards or positive reinforcement. For example, praising someone for their hard work or providing incentives for achieving certain goals.

Negative Motivation: This involves discouraging behaviour through consequences or punishment. For instance, imposing penalties for violating rules or norms.

Punishment as Motivation: Negative Motivation: Punishment can serve as a form of negative motivation, as it aims to deter individuals from engaging in undesired behaviour. The idea is that the fear of punishment will influence behaviour positively, leading to compliance with rules and societal norms.

Performance Motivation: In some cases, consequences such as punishment can be tied to performance. For instance, a student might face academic consequences for not meeting certain standards, which can be viewed as a performance motivator.

It's essential to note that the effectiveness of positive and negative motivation varies among individuals, and a balanced approach often yields the best results. Positive reinforcement tends to be more sustainable and fosters intrinsic motivation, where individuals are driven by personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. On the other hand, negative motivation, while sometimes necessary, may lead to compliance out of fear rather than a genuine desire to do what is right.

Negative Motivation through Punishment:

Deterrence: The primary aim of punishment as negative motivation is to deter individuals from engaging in undesired behaviour. The fear of facing negative consequences, whether it be reprimands, fines, or other penalties, can act as a deterrent, influencing individuals to conform to established rules and societal norms.

Performance Motivation through Consequences: Tying Consequences to Performance: Consequences, including punishments, can be linked to performance standards. This is often seen in educational or professional settings where failure to meet certain expectations results in negative outcomes. This can serve as a performance motivator, encouraging individuals to strive for excellence to avoid adverse consequences.

Important points about the impact of punishment on children and the need for comprehensive education, guidance, and preparation for life's challenges.

Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment: Research has shown that positive reinforcement tends to be more effective in shaping behaviour than punishment. Encouraging and rewarding good behaviour can motivate children to continue making positive choices.

Comprehensive Education: Beyond academic subjects, children should receive comprehensive education that includes life skills, emotional intelligence, and ethical values. This holistic approach prepares them for various aspects of life and helps them make informed decisions.

Communication and Counselling: Open communication between parents and children is crucial. Rather than resorting to punishment, discussing the consequences of actions and providing guidance can foster a supportive environment. Professional counselling can also be beneficial when needed.

Realities of Life: Introducing children to the realities of life, such as road safety, handling emergencies, and navigating challenges, is essential. This empowers them with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions when faced with difficult situations.

Responsibility of Authorities: Law enforcement and community authorities play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Properly trained officers should be equipped to assist lost children and vulnerable individuals, providing necessary support and guidance.

Peer Learning: Peer learning is a powerful tool. Students often learn from each other and can contribute to a positive learning environment. Encouraging collaboration and information-sharing among students fosters a supportive community.

Ethical Values: Instilling ethical values early on helps children develop a strong moral compass. Teaching them the importance of honesty, integrity, and empathy contributes to the creation of responsible and compassionate individuals.

Preparation for Adversities: Teaching children how to handle adversity, loss, and emergencies is part of building resilience. This preparation can reduce anxiety and equip them to cope with challenges as they arise.

Age-Appropriate Information: Providing age-appropriate information is key. While it's important to educate children about potential dangers, the information should be presented in a manner that is suitable for their developmental stage, avoiding unnecessary fear.

Promoting a Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive environment at home and in schools encourages children to share their concerns and seek guidance. Feeling safe to express their thoughts fosters emotional well-being.

In short, a balanced approach that combines positive reinforcement, open communication, comprehensive education, and a supportive community can contribute to the holistic development of children, preparing them for the complexities of life in a positive and empowering way.

Sometimes  bad  habits   develop because of colleagues who have parents with criminal backgrounds and students get in touch with them.

These and many other pitfalls are negative motivations in life. Our goal should be positive motivation. Even if luck is against you and if you are positive, you will achieve good results even if it is late.

Not all get to achieve good life and the goal is passed on to the children if the parents do not achieve it. Parents may not have the luck but you will be lucky if they worked hard so you could live better.

Beware of dangers and beware of bad people. Spend money on right things, save money even pennies like temples and churches do. Help only as much as possible and so if your money or kind is not returned you may not need to feel sad and you can still manage without that money

If you cannot give money do not borrow and give always. Try alternative methods of helping people like medicines, food, arranging treatments only in the range where you can afford.

Do not go for costly treatments if cheaper alternatives are available unless you are a rich person. Even poor get same diseases and do not overspend to get treated unless absolutely necessary. Don't overspend just to be happy or prove yourself bigger than others especially if you do not have backup income sources.

Some ladies do that when a neighbour lady has a rich husband, she shows off her valuables forcing the lady with a lower income husband to buy something which he cannot afford. These things should happen with time and you need to be satisfied till you can afford them.

You cannot have things which you cannot afford in the present time so God has allowed you to dream and those can become real too but you need to give them time to happen in reality.

This is motivation and dreaming are the biggest motivation we have in life. We even enjoy in real in our dreams as if it is happening in actual. So those who have not achieved have them in their dreams. There are endless possibilities and we are to do only one possible task. Sometimes we fail in the career we selected and we are not able to sustain ourselves as we did not succeed in the chosen careers. Then we need to join some meaningful and confirmed sources of income. When there a a few positions at the top not everyone is going to be rich and famous, then we have to get employed instead of trying to achieve things which cost us a lot of money. Our goals should give us something in return and if we do them for a hobby, they should not become a financial burden for us. They should be done in spare time until they give us enough money or rewards to do them fulltime. Taking care of the family, parents and elders is also important and sometimes we forget them in our goals to perform better. Who are you doing it for is also important not just for yourself.

Effectiveness of Positive and Negative Motivation:

Positive Reinforcement: Positive motivation, such as rewards, recognition, and praise, tends to be more sustainable and fosters intrinsic motivation. When individuals feel a sense of accomplishment and receive positive feedback, they are more likely to be motivated by their own internal drive to succeed.

Negative Motivation and Compliance: While negative motivation can lead to compliance, it may not necessarily