This paper examines the individual motivational profiles of four employeesùElla, Marcelo, Masoko and Sam--who are striving to obtain a promotion at their place of employment. While the motivation of the first three individuals will be described in accordance with the biological, psychosocial and interactionist theories respectively, the motivation of the last individual (Sam) will involve an integration of the three theoretical perspectives to provide a realistic motivation profile. Moreover, the discussion of Sam's motivational profile will demonstrate how the factors in each of the motivation theories interact with one another.
The first employee, Ella, derives her motivation from a biological source. As explained by Eysenck's (1990) description of the biological emotion of extraversion in his PEN (Psychoticism-Extraversion-Neuroticism) model, Ella is an extravert who is constantly bored and underaroused. Therefore, she is drawn towards the challenge of obtaining a promotion as a form of stimulation. More specifically, Ella who is highly responsive to the brain chemicalùdopamineùis driven by her desire to "win" the promotion as a reward. Dopamine has been identified as the source of Ella's motivation, as it also influences other key characteristics of extraverts such as enthusiasm and interest in spending time with others. Based on this description, the extent of Ella's effort in pursuing a promotion will depend on the changes in her dopamine levels and her physiological arousal vis-a-vis the promotion.
In the case of Marcelo whose motivation is accounted for by a psychosocial theory of motivation, Maslow's (1987) theory of the hierarchy of needs offers an apt description. More specifically, Maslow's (1987) descriptions of the "esteem needs" and "self-actualization needs" apply to individuals at the workplace. Esteem needs revolve around the individuals' desires to achieve respect and acknowledgement for their s...