Theories of Motivation

What is motivation? 
It is the forces within the individual that account for the level, direction, and persistence of effort expected at work. 

Terminology used in the motivation
1) Reward - a work outcome of positive value to the individual - it might to be tangible or intangible rewards.
2) Extrinsic Rewards - valued outcomes given to someone by another person.
3) Intrinsic Reward - valued outcomes that occur naturally as a person works on a task.


Theories of Motivation

1) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

This theory basically talks about the human factor and their needs. A person to become in a state where he reaches his self-actualization he need to fulfill is basic and other needs.

There are 5 level of need addressed in this theory;

1) Physiological Needs (such as Food, shelter, clothing etc.)

2) Safety Needs (Physical safety and security)

3) Social Needs (Social interaction with others, Relationships, group memberships etc)

4) Self Esteem (Self confidence of a person, recognition and approval of the person)

5) Self-actualization (Self fulfillment, social growth, pride, accomplishment etc)

Comparison of Need theory to Home and the Job

Need	Home	Job
self-actualization	education, religion, hobbies, personal growth	training, advancement, growth, creativity
esteem	approval of family, friends, community	recognition, high status, responsibilities
belongingness	family, friends, clubs	teams, depts, coworkers, clients, supervisors, subordinates
safety	freedom from war, poison, violence	work safety, job security, health insurance
physiological	food water sex	Heat, air, base salary

Cultural critique: Does Maslow's classification really reflect the order in which needs are satisfied, or is it more about classifying needs from a kind of "tastefulness" perspective, with lofty goals like personal growth and creativity at the top, and "base" instincts like sex and hunger at the bottom? And is self-actualization actually a fundamental need? Or just something that can be done if you have the leisure time?

Conclusion

This theory emphasize that an individual to get self-actualization he need to have all the basic needs and other related needs to be fulfilled. 

For example; if a person do not have shelter how can he get the safety and security needs? All these are linked each other. the first is to get basic needs; such as food, water, shelter, clothing etc. After that he needs good health for stability and employment and even to have a healthy family. 

In student context if we are not able to provide good environment for the students to learn, how can they gain knowledge from what we deliver to them. Because the environment act as a barrier for them to get maximum out of the lesson. Such environment will be not safe for the student to learn. 

There for it is the responsibility of us build a friendly learning culture within the classroom environment which allow each and every students to learn maximum in the class.

References

http://www.analytictech.com/mb021/motivation.htm