Motivation Theory and Ergonomics

The study by Szalma (2014) entitled "On the Application of Motivation Theory to Human Factors/Ergonomics: Motivational Design Principles for Human-Technology Interaction" proposes a set of principles and guidelines for motivational design that can be applied to the field of ergonomics. In terms of health and occupational safety, the article focuses on how motivation theory can be useful for reducing risks associated with fatigue, stress and boredom in the workplace environment by assessing the motivation aspects within the technology-human interaction. This paper will discuss the objectives of Szalma's (2014) study, the theory used, the concepts utilized, the argument made, the method employed, the evidence obtained, the values identified, the literature reviewed, and the contribution to ergonomic knowledge that the study makes.

The article sets out to achieve the following objectives: first, the article attempts to "describe a theoretical model of motivation in human technology interaction," and, second, it puts forward the design principles to guide the theory; the third and final objective of the article is to explain the sequence of steps that should be used for evaluating the motivational factors used in the interaction between humans and technology (p. 1453). The article achieves each of these objectives by explaining precisely the model theory it uses to describe the discourse between humans and technology (motivation theory); the guidelines for how to implement the theory are discussed in depth in the section of the study devoted to describing the results/findings of the article; and the sequence of steps is clearly identified.

Szalma (2014) uses the motivational theoretical framework to approach the issue of how humans and technology can interact. The explanation for this is that while motivation theory is not ordinarily utilized in human factors/ergonomics, it actually can play quite an effective role in understanding how technology and humans interact. The main reason the theory has not been utilized sufficiently by researchers in the past is that they have operated from the assumption that the actor/operator is already motivated and/or that that motivation theory is more of an organizational concept and not one that directly impacts human... Szalma (2014) points out that this assumption is faulty because automated machine technology can lead to human boredom, which can negatively impact stress levels and increase risk factors related to performance. According to the research study, motivation is comprised of three aspects -- goals, energy to pursue those goals, and the ability to persist against obstacles (Szalma, 2014, p. 1454). These variables can help to explain human behavior outcomes with regard to how humans respond to their environment -- and technology being part of the environment thus becomes a principal player in that outcome. Thus, the theory's usage is justified by the idea that an interface is meant to support an individual in attaining a goal as well as in the construction of meaning for the activity within the given context (Szalma, 2014, p. 1455).
The central concept utilized in the study is the self-determination theory of motivation and its application to human factors/ergonomics. The concept introduces the notion that technology is a factor in the way that humans behave because it is part of the environment. Motivation is the main concept that is discussed at length in the article. How boredom, fatigue and stress play a role in motivation is described (Szalma, 2014, 1455). Technology that is used for a goal-oriented purpose has an impact on individuals' level of boredom, stress and fatigue. Usability models, moreover, can be utilized to help describe the "motivational structures or processes underlying user intentions and behavior" (Szalma, 2014, p. 1456). The central concept is clearly defined and the reason that it is used as the focus of the article is made explicit and referenced thoroughly throughout the article. By assessing the issues of reducing risks within the workplace environment, such as fatigue, boredom and stress, the model can mitigate these factors and reduce their impact on performance levels. This assertion does not come by way of a formal hypothetical but it could be argued that it acts as one, as it is the main theory put forward in the article.

However, there is no specific, formal hypothesis or null hypothesis made for the study. No quantitative measurements are taken. Instead a model of motivation theory applied to human factors/ergonomics is developed and the…