cognitive motivation
In this paper I will be aiming to cover the following areas. Firstly an overview of the fundamentals behind the cognitive theories of motivation, focusing on three main theories - Equity theory, Expectancy theory and Goal setting theory. Within these theory bases I will outline some of the developmental research that has been occurring, particularly those studies which have added empirical evidence to consolidate or expand on the basic theories. Secondly I will show some practical applications of these theories and evidence of how successful they have been or could be within an organisational environment. Finally a short comment on the adaptability of these models to an international context which has become a dominant feature of current literature in this increasing time of globalisation.The Cognitive Theories - An Overview Motivation can be visualised as the energising force that provides the impetus to make people act. More specifically it is "the individual internal process that energises directs and sustains behavior; the personal force that causes one to behave in a particular way" (Olsen, 1996, p.1). It is a fundamental concept for management to understand in learning to comprehend the way in
Equity theory relies on the way people make comparisons of both effort/return and with those around them, arguing that "when people gauge the fairness of their work outcomes in comparison with others, felt inequity is the motivating state of mind." (Wood et al p 183) People resolve the felt inequities by working in such a way as to restore a sense of equity. Using Goal Setting to improve Safety Behavior. Klein (1991) has been looking to clarify the relationship between goal setting and expectancy theories. Traditional theoretical approaches suggested viewing "expectancies and attractiveness as interacting to influence goal choice, with goals being the more direct determinants of effort" (Klein 1991 p 231). However there is also some competing evidence (Garland 1985) which contradicted this view contending that goal attributes affect expectancy theory constructs rather than resulting from them. Klein's study hence sought to expand evidence of how the expectancy theory constructs relate to goal choice, goal commitment and performance. His findings replicated those of Garland. The perceived explanation for this for this was that goals form a dual role of being targets to shoot for as well as standards for evaluating one performance. The research into combining the two theories is continuing, with much discussion currently surrounding "issues of causal ordering, measurement and the meanings of those measurements". (Klein 1991 p 230) It appears that we have to wait on the world of academia to conduct more research before a widely accepted combination of the two models evolves.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Valence M=E, Context Finally, Barr Conlon, Daly Kleiner, Latham Locke, , Overview Motivation, Vecchio Logan, Theory Equity, Phillips Duff, goal setting, equity theory, expectancy theory, et al, wood et al, wood et, cognitive theories, al 1998, safety behavior, klein 1991, et al 1998, cognitive theories motivation, self regulation, expectancy theory constructs, daly kleiner 1995,
Approximate Word count = 2167
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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