There are many theories of motivation including biological theories, behavioral theories, emotional theories, and behavioral theories (Petri & McGovern, 2003: 23-365). This paper provides a brief but comprehensive theory of motivation. The paper then goes on to describe two of the most well-known of the current theories of motivation.
Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborn (2000: 101-121) define motivation as a drive or force within an individual that accounts for or gives rise to the level, direction, and persistence of the effort put forth to accomplish something. In other words, a person's motivation is their degree of determination to achieve a certain behavior or behavioral task combined with the steadfastness of the effort they put forth to reach it.
Two theories of motivation are:(1)Self-Determination Theory of Motivation, and (2) Goal Setting Theory of Motivation. Each of these theories is briefly described below:
According to Deci and Ryan (2008: 14-23) the self-determination theory of motivation holds that human beings are innately driven toward psychological and emotional growth and development but this natural tendency does not operate automatically. Specifically, it arises due to factors in the environment which call it forth and nurture it and typically these factors are social in nature.
In other words, motivation will increase and grow or decrease and end in relation to any situation depending upon the degree to which the social context supports or thwarts the nature tendency or drive toward psychoemotional growth. This is true of motivations at work, motivations in the family context, academic motivations, and all forms of motivation.
Relating back to the work of Abraham Maslow, Deci and Ryan (2008: 14-23) associate motivation with the concept of meeting certain innate, universal and essential needs for physical, emotional, and psychologi
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