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Notes On Motivation Theory And Motivation

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Chapter 2: Literature review

2.1. Motivation theory
Types of motivation
According to Pritchard and Ashwood (2008: 6), motivation is the process used to allocate energy to maximize the satisfaction of needs. It requires that one have a reason to do something. Well-know researchers in this area Ryan and Deci (2010) believe that a person, who feels no drive or inspiration to act, can therefore be characterized as unmotivated, while someone who is energized toward a goal can be defined as motivated. People may also experience differing levels and types of motivation based on their individual backgrounds, which means that they vary not only in their amount of motivation, but also in the trend of that motivation (Ryan and Deci, 2000). Different things motivate people who come from different social, cultural, economic and/or financial backgrounds, or who have received different education. An employee’s motives, socio-economic background and value system will have an effect on how they work, as well as influence the outcome of their performance (Wyk and Erasmus, 2003: 315).

Many researchers have worked in the field of motivation over the years, and developed different theories. Maslow 's ‘Hierarchy of needs’ theory proposes that an individual’s most basic needs must be met before they will develop higher level desires (Goble, 1970). Maslow created the term ‘metamotivation’ to explain the motivations of those people, which go beyond the extent of their basic needs and instead

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