In these challenging and competitive times, it is indeed taking a lot for people to stay focused and driven to achieve their goals and objectives. With so much distraction around, it is undoubtedly becoming difficult for them to stay aligned with their actions to get the desired results. But, one thing which matters the most is ‘Motivation.’ Motivation is that driving force or thrust that keeps the person going and helps them to face challenges and achieve great heights of success. So, let us understand the different types of motivation that will help you in achieving your targets.
What is Motivation all about?
The first motivational theory was developed by Abraham Maslow. In his paper ‘A Theory of Human Motivation,’ in the year 1943, he mentioned the five essential needs of a person i.e., Physiological, Security, Social, Esteem and Self-actualising for which it is essential to stay motivated. But what exactly is the meaning of the word ‘Motivation’?
So, from where does the word ‘motivation’ come? The word ‘Motivation’ comes from the term ‘Motive’. This means the wants, drives, desires and needs of a person that drives them. Motivation is a force or a process that stimulates humans or animals to perform their actions to achieve or accomplish goals. Motivation is also the external or internal factor that keeps the person committed or interested in a particular activity, goal or position.
Motivation forms a base for living life. It is majorly driven by factors such as social environment, education and lifestyle. It is the most important element that a person should have to live and lead a healthy, successful and prosperous life on both personal and professional fronts. Mainly, there are two types of motivations in psychology - Intrinsic Motivation and Extrinsic Motivation. Let us read more and understand different types of motivation.
Different types of Motivation
1. Intrinsic Motivation
As the word suggests, ‘intrinsic motivation’ means ‘internal motivation’. In this type of motivation, all the factors that contribute to motivating a person internally are called intrinsic motivators. In this, the person is rewarded internally. For example, those drivers that lead to personal gratification or are not for external praise are intrinsic. They are staying fit by working out, learning a new game, engaging in social activities, etc.
Such activities give a sense of pleasure or purpose to oneself. Intrinsic motivation can have both positive and negative drivers. For example, you are working out to get fit but if you stop working out, you might feel that you would not be able to put up socially. This could be one of the negative drivers. The outcome will be positive but the force behind it might be negative. However, Intrinsic Motivation is more sustainable and is right under one’s control.
2. Extrinsic Motivation
Similarly, ‘Extrinsic motivation’ means external motivation. Basically, in extrinsic motivation, the person is motivated to act or perform based on external factors such as praise, validation, compensation, rewards, etc. In this motivation, the person is driven to achieve the goals with a key intent to receive a bonus, pay, raise, promotion, awards, lifestyle, etc. It is associated with every element that serves as an external drive i.e., punishment and compensation.
In terms of compensation, it is money, bonus, appraisal, salary, rewards, etc. In the case of punishment, it is blame, fine, judgment, negative comments, trolling, etc. Extrinsic motivation is both positive and negative at the same time.
For example,iIf an employee reaches the office on time and completes their work properly then they will be paid completely. But, simultaneously, they have one fear that if they get late to work or are underperforming then their money will be deducted or they might be asked to leave the organisation. So, there are two underlying drivers.
There are various types of motivations under Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations. Let us read about them in detail.
3. Incentive Motivation
In Incentive motivation, the person or an individual is motivated to perform or undertake a task or an activity in lieu of getting a potential reward for the same. Moreover, people who are typically incentive-motivated are more focused on getting the reward rather than the process of achieving a milestone or goal. This type of motivation usually helps in boosting one's earning ability and career progression. So, if you are keen to get a pay hike or bonus or a raise in salary then you need to think about it to get motivated and earn more.
For example, if you are a professional who is attracted to a larger paycheck and a higher authority, then you will be incentive-motivated to enjoy that position rather than the job satisfaction and increased responsibility associated with it.
4. Achievement Motivation
This is another form of motivation that drives a person in a positive direction. In achievement motivation, the person performs the task with a particular intent or objective. Here, the person is more committed and involved to achieve the mission and vision of that task or initiative. This way, they feel accomplished. Basically, an achievement motivated person believes in working hard towards completing the process. They will do every possible thing to lead the process toward success. They believe in productivity and reducing or eliminating wastage.
For example, if a person is an inventor and works for an innovation company, then although it is the task given to them to invent something, he would be more driven to invent it not to just benefit the company but for themselves as well. That sense of achievement is for their own motivation.
5. Power Motivation
So, are you majorly driven by passion? Are you a keen perfectionist? If yes, then you are driven by power motivation. Do you want to know what exactly it is?
In a power motivation, the individual is working endlessly to become an expert in that particular field or is creating a business empire. This mastery gives power and control over one’s livelihood. Basically, the individual who is more power motivated enjoys control of one's life and others. The person strives to emerge as the sole determinant of what happens to their relationships, health, food, money, etc. Power motivation is positive and at the same time brings in more challenges for the person. It aids in growing professionally.
Additional Types of Motivation
Apart from the above-mentioned types of motivations, there are a few more types of motivations that impact the individual accordingly. They are fear motivation, affiliation motivation, competence motivation, attitude motivation, and expectancy motivation. Let us read more and understand them in detail.
1. Fear Motivation
Is there anything like fear motivation? Isn’t that a bit of a contradiction -fear and motivation going hand in hand? It is! So, let us try to understand this term.
In fear motivation, a person is driven by a fear of meeting with any negative consequences such as demotion, termination of employment, stagnation, lawsuits, etc. This kind of motivation might not be sustainable but it somewhere motivates in achieving short-term objectives.
For example, if an employee is given a sales target, then they will discover ways to achieve it. The fear factor here is losing a client or business or being terminated from the company.
2. Affiliation Motivation
In affiliation motivation, the person is more inclined towards socially interacting with people. This type of motivation is also known as social motivation. A person who is socially motivated is driven by being recognised socially or being actively involved in social groups. In addition, the sense of belonging that they have will help in becoming a better person. This will lead to more happiness and fulfillment. Also, even if the person is not getting financial rewards, they will get motivated and dedicated to accomplishing their career goals.
For example, if you are working in a company, then the recognition and appreciation that your colleagues or superiors will give you for your never-ending contribution to the company will socially motivate you.
3. Competence Motivation
In competence motivation, people excel at whatever they do and become highly proficient in their work areas. In a way, they emerge as subject matter experts or specialists. Professionals such as aeronautical engineers, neurosurgeons, etc are competence motivators as they utilise their problem-solving skills to solve unique problems. Hence, the competence they have helps them in solving the problem and this is what motivates you.
For example, any heart surgeon or a doctor in a specialised stream would take more training and specialisation in performing advanced surgeries.
4. Attitude Motivation
In attitude motivation, people are driven towards changing the thoughts and perceptions of other people. Such people interact with others and improve social engagements. Moreover, it helps in making people around you feel better and good about you.
Conclusion
Irrespective of the type of motivation, what ultimately matters is that a person should be motivated in life. They should have the motivation or zeal to achieve and accomplish his/her dreams, milestones, and goals in life. People without motivation lose their zeal and interest in living life. Thus, motivation is an integral formation or base of living life the way it should be. So, be it intrinsic or extrinsic or any type of motivation, you need to understand your roles and responsibilities towards achieving a goal or accomplishing a task. It is we who know which motivation drive will help you in achieving your goals and objectives. So, identify what best works for you and go for it.
FAQs
Who coined the term motivation?
The term motivation and its theories were first introduced by Abraham Maslow.
How many types of motivation are there?
There are various types of motivation such as intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, power motivation, fear motivation, achievement motivation, power motivation, etc.