I am very curious about the topic of motivation, and how it relates to achieving goals. Since I am not a behavioral psychologist, I have been reading about what the real experts have to say on these matters. Perhaps the most notable is Dr. Edward Deci, prolific professor, author, and researcher on the subjects of psychology and human motivation.

Deci’s book, Why We Do What We Do is nothing new - my copy is from 1996 - but he’s still a leading expert on human motivation. Here are a few things I’ve pulled from Part 1 of his book.

2 Approaches to Motivation

1. The Behavioral Approach: People are fundamentally passive and will respond only when the environment tempts them with the opportunity to get rewards or avoid punishments.

Vs.

2. The Intrinsic Motivation Approach: People do an activity for its own sake, for the inherent reward of the activity itself.

[Note, Deci suggests these two approaches are in opposition and #2 is a superior approach to #1]

Motivation and…

Rewards: When rewards are given with a controlling intent, they destroy the very motivation they had intended to promote. Alternatively, when rewards are given in a non-controlling way as an acknowledgment of good work, they do not destroy intrinsic motivation.

The forces that we usually use to motivate us - threat, avoidance of punishment, monetary reward, competition, deadlines - can leave us feeling pushed around and controlled, which weakens intrinsic motivation.

Choices: When we are given choices about things, we feel less controlled and our intrinsic motivation increases. Therefore, if you are in a position where you are trying to motivate individuals - students, children, or employees - your primary method of giving them autonomy and increasing their intrinsic motivation is to give them more choice.

When you give people choice, you

• get them involved in what they are doing
• give them a sense of volition
• increase their feeling of being included
• show them that you are responsive to them as individuals

Autonomy: People need to feel autonomous in their activities in order to be motivated, as autonomy allows people to have choice and experience things for themselves.

Competence: People need to feel competent in the things they are doing in order to be motivated, and perceived competence is found in completing meaningful personal challenges.

That is all just from Part 1 of the book - I have found it a tough read so far. It’s very academic and it seems that each of his theories have implications on a later part of the book, so I really have to pay attention. I also find it challenging because it makes me thinking about why I do things - why am I pursuing certain goals? What would motivate me to do them or turn me off from trying them?

Do you know what motivates you? Do you agree or disagree with Deci’s suggestions?

Update: This post was included in the Balanced Living carnival hosted by One Organized Life.

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