Transcription
Welcome to this ninth video where we will study motivation. Motivation is defined as the dynamization of behavior in the pursuit of a goal. It's a fundamental part of our interactions. It is considered essential to success.
The origin of motivation can be looked at from two angles: anatomical, physical, and psychological. At the anatomical level, motivation is located in the mesolimbic system, passing through the lateral hypothalamus before ending in the pre-optic areas, then in the nucleus accumbens. This nucleus can be considered a central element because it balances motivation and action, but also the mechanisms of conditioning and addictions. A rare pathology, thomia syndrome, can help us understand the importance of the anatomical aspect of motivation because affected patients lose all drive, desire for satisfaction, and curiosity and become aggressive.
At the psychological level, motivation refers to the willingness to exert physical and/or mental effort in pursuit of an action or goal. Motivation can be developed from birth by congratulating the child and encouraging their curiosity. However, these congratulations should not be linked to success because otherwise, this will develop into a constant seeking of others' approval, creating a feeling of dependence. It is therefore beneficial to link motivation with personal satisfaction, for example, by carrying out actions unknown to those around you but which nevertheless make you proud of yourself.
There are two main forms of motivation: independent, which is intrinsic motivation, and dependent, which is extrinsic motivation. The first is a personal motivation; you take action because the action itself brings you much pleasure. The process is more important than the result. The second depends on external demands; you take action in order to obtain a reward. Neither is better than the other, and these two forms of motivation can be combined.
Motivation is complex. Three main theories have been suggested. First, content-based theories. Let's start with Maslow's hierarchy of needs and his famous pyramid. It shows that the strongest motivation is almost equal to the survival instinct, to physiological needs. Then comes the need for security, the need for connections such as love and friendship, then the need for self-esteem and esteem of others, and finally, the need for personal fulfillment. Alder ERG (existence, relatedness, and growth) theory is more concise than Maslow's theory but includes three similar pillars: the need for existence, relatedness, or connection, and growth. McClelland's theory of motivation differs slightly from these. There are still three groups: the need for power, affiliation, and achievement. According to McClelland, one of the needs will motivate more than the other two. Let's also mention Herzberg, who stated that the best motivation is to get involved in what brings maximum personal satisfaction, as well as Hackman and Oldham, who theorized that motivation is influenced by two key elements: autonomy and feedback.
Second, cognitive choice theories. They take into account the person's view of their own situation. Among these theories, Adams' theory of fairness, which is similar to theories of organizational justice, states that motivation in the workplace depends on fair treatment. Another approach is to actively involve staff in the organization. This involvement increases motivation by strengthening a sense of belonging. In addition, adopting a respectful attitude towards all staff motivates everyone by making them feel important. According to Vroom, motivation is an individual concept. If a person feels that they will achieve the desired result by getting involved, their motivation will increase; otherwise, commitment will decrease.
Third, theories of self-determination. These theories look at the processes between cognitive and affective mechanisms. Once a choice is made, these processes guide the behavior toward the goal. According to Deci and Ryan, a person must free themselves from extrinsic motivation and strengthen their intrinsic motivation by setting goals and becoming aware of their strengths. Another approach, Locke, states that setting complex, specific, realistic, and rewarded goals is the best way to optimize motivation. But no theory is perfect; each person is unique. A theory is ineffective if the person resists it, unconsciously or not.
Lack of motivation can have several origins. In a therapeutic setting, it is necessary to be attentive to the patient's past, childhood, adolescence, significant events, family context, as well as their current relationships and situation. To motivate the patient, a SMART goal can be helpful: S for Specific (the goal is precise), M for Measurable (the goal can be evaluated on a scale or in a table), A for Achievable (the goal is possible and reachable within a certain time frame), R for Relevant (the goal must be in line with the patient's values and objectives), T for Time-based (the goal must have a realistic deadline). If a goal is poorly formulated, it will be difficult to achieve. For example, "quit smoking in 2 days." A SMART objective could be: "smoke a maximum of five cigarettes per day by the end of month X." This objective could be broken down into a list of priorities to do, that is, several phases on which to focus gradually. Remember that it is crucial to never go against your will.
Finally, let's mention six myths related to motivation. The reward system still works; actually, it is only effective in the short term. Some people can't be motivated; yes, they can, as long as they find the right approach. Motivation doesn't make you happy; motivation increases when life gets better, but it doesn't make life better by itself. Intrinsic motivation is the basis of everything; this varies depending on results and on other people's appreciation. Sometimes intrinsic motivation takes precedence over extrinsic motivation; sometimes it is the other way around. The practitioner must teach the patient to motivate themselves; the practitioner helps the patient to understand their obstacles, but the motivation itself comes from the patient. To succeed, the patient must invest themselves constantly. Know that risks exhaustion; the important thing is being consistent with good habits. Finally, motivation is a form of communication between the person and their own body. It is a personal process that encourages you to take charge of your life but also to improve it.
So, in the next and final video, we will see how to improve motivation through neuroscience. See you soon.