Is Motivation simply Manipulation? Essay

Introduction ~Theoretical Viewpoints on Motivation The subject of human motivation is quite complicated for a number of reasons. Firstly, humans mature more slowly than any other organisms on this planet, and for this, the motivational tendencies are acquired more slowly too. Secondly, the individual is dependent on many of his fundamental satisfactions on other people; this is illustrated on his/her use of symbolic language to communicate these needs to others (Franken 1994). Motivation is defined as the concept that represents the fundamental influence that drives behavior and providing its direction (Morris et al.1999, p 284). In organizational behavior the principles in the study of behavior, especially on motivational theories, are applied in the workplace. Such theories help explain what motivates people in their attitudes toward work, their employers and other aspects of employment in general. One major motivational model or theory more often used in organizations and industries is the theory by Abraham Maslow (Smith et al 1982). More prominently called as the hierarchy of needs, this theory explains an individual’s needs on different levels. On the theory, Maslow defines basic or fundamental needs as the individual’s biological needs like hunger, thirst and rest. Maslow believes that on this basic level lies the â€Å"evolution† of the other so-called â€Å"higher† needs. If the lower levels are not satisfied, the implications mean the individual cannot or will not move onto the higher levels (Morris et al. 1999, p. 302; Marx 1976). Maslow’s theory became a phenomenal one especially in industry because of its humanistic desirability; they seemed significant to people. It helps clarify why some work incentives are not effective for some people and situations. And managers in work settings can implement interventions in their workplaces based on their understanding of human behavior according to the hierarchy of needs (Berry 2002, p. 240). ~Internal and External Classification of Motivation Psychology recognizes different perspectives of motivation. One of these viewpoints pertains to the idea of â€Å"motivational inducements,† otherwise known as incentives. Incentives are referenced from either the vantage point of internal, or that of external motivation. An inducement coming from within the individual is called intrinsic or internal motivation. It is, according to Morris and Maisto, about the â€Å". . . desire to perform a behavior that originates within the individual. † An inducement coming from outside the individual is called external or extrinsic motivation. It is the aspiration to do or achieve a goal in order to acquire a type of incentives or escape or steer clear of punishment (Morris and Maisto 1999, p. 316). Children are often induced by the presence of external incentives to perform expected tasks or avoid incurring punishment. For motivation experts, however, a person developing the internal type of motivation will reap more lasting and beneficial effects compared with external motivation (1999). To induce a child to do what the parents ask for by way of rewards or threats are at times less constructive or even detrimental to the overall performance of the person or child. ~Example of Motivation in the Workplace In a multinational company like National Panasonic, they practice and execute specific agenda for increasing motivation, one of which is Management by Objectives (MBO). They have faith in involving their employees in goal-setting and in decision-making. MBO works by integrating goal-setting into individual participation in decision-making in order to establish individual work goals to which the employee feels reasonably committed. At the motivational level, it is theorized that resistance to change is decreased if individuals participate in decisions regarding change and that individuals accept and are more committed to decisions in which they have participated in making. To further encourage and increase involvement, the company provides suggestion boxes and hold monthly contests where they give monetary rewards for the best three suggestions. These give the employee a sense of achievement and responsibility for its success. For this company, the employees receive incentives in the form of Ladder promotion, general salary increase annually plus performance rating salary increases, CBA – employees can expect a minimum of 15% increase in salary annually within three years; and welfare benefits which include group insurances, medical insurance, accident benefits among others (Baron 1983). A company like this goes to such great lengths at least to assure that it does something for sustaining employees’ morale and motivation. ~Defining Manipulation. Strictly confining a term to its distinct definition enables the audience to fully grasp the nuances of its meaning; in other words when a person sticks to the exact meaning of the word, confusion as to the other shades that might be attributed to its will be reduced and perhaps eliminated. In this case â€Å"manipulation† is defined as the use of anything (goods, ideas, services, etc. ) in exchange of something to the extent that exploitation is actually may be occurring or that the person â€Å"manipulated† ends up losing something. The â€Å"manipulator† wants what’s his and the â€Å"manipulated† is fooled into giving the former what that person wanted. In this exact context, when compared with motivation, definitely, the term manipulation is not its equivalent (Drebinger 2006). Motivation according to Drebinger (2006) is simply the â€Å"act of helping someone achieve something that is beneficial to them. † Along this vein, the intentions and usually the methods are ethically and morally right which is synonymous with such internal behavior/attitudes as impetus, drive and inspiration. There are risks involved such as being misinterpreted or misperceived which happens very commonly to almost anyone (Llewellyn 2003; Kitchener 2000). Conclusion Essentially, the role of motivation in a person’s life is crucial to the understanding of human activities. Motivation is never static because in life, there always presents a dynamic and changing pattern of needs. Internal and external motivation provides in brief, an astute way of explaining the â€Å"why’s† of people’s behaviors. The line between motivation and manipulation however is thin, especially because the difference lies in the internal aspects, buried deep in the intellect, will and emotions of a person. 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