Forces That Motivate the Topic of How

Forces That Motivate

The topic of how people are motivated is one that has investigated by curious minds for as long as man relied on others to achieve some of their goals. The theory has been put forth that, in the end, there are only two forces that motivate people, self-interest and fear. This paper will argue that in fact, these two forces are really one. In addition, there is another, third facet of self-interest that is sometimes overlooked - the love for others.

Understanding how people are motivated is a crucial piece to successfully interacting and collaborating in society. As adults, one must take into account how best to motivate those around us in order to achieve our goals in this world.

If people were not motivated to perform tasks that were not appealing to them, imagine what the world would be like. Although at first people may be able to only indulge themselves in activities they enjoy, eventually those would cease to be available, due to the intricate relationship of each individual with another. For example, food would become scarce as perhaps no one would take enjoyment in producing it.

It's this give and take that allows the world to function that is the essence of motivation.

To do this, one must first do that. To reap this reward, one must first put in this effort. This motivation is typically broken down into two factors that have been described as primary motivators for people - fear and self-interest.

Fear is a motivator that all people are aware of. It occurs from birth when man is afraid he won't be fed and cries out to an unfamiliar mother. Moses utilized fear as he "got his people's undivided attention by putting the fear of a wrathful God in them." (Maccoby, Gittell, & Ledeen) It is the fear of having to pay a fine or going to jail that deters many people from driving over the speed limit. Workers fear being fired or not receiving a needed raise or promotion, and as such often work longer and harder. Fear even motivates students, as many are fearful of receiving a bad grade and therefore apply themselves more to their studies than they would if this fear didn't exist. However, when one truly considers it, isn't fear simply an echo of self-interest?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs can best describe self-interest motivators. In it, Maslow describes five levels of self-interest needs. A pyramidal shape, Maslow theorized that once the bottom level need is fulfilled, a person then seeks the next higher level, and so on.

In his theory, Maslow's five levels included: physiological needs, safety needs, needs of love, affection and belongingness, needs for esteem, and needs for self-actualization.

According to Maslow, the first level that needs to be fulfilled is their physiological needs. "These are biological needs. They consist of needs for oxygen, food, water, and a relatively constant body temperature. They are the strongest needs because if a person were deprived of all needs, the physiological ones would come first in the person's search for satisfaction." (Simons, Irwin, & Drinnien) This is the first self-interest motivator that people seek to meet.

Once a person's physiological needs are met, their next self-interest motivator is their needs for safety. Once safety is secured, humans then seek to fulfill their need of love, affection and belongingness. "Maslow states that people seek to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. This involves both giving and receiving love, affection and the sense of belonging." (Simons, Irwin, & Drinnien)

Maslow's fourth level of self-interest motivators involves the need for esteem.

These involve needs for both self-esteem and for the esteem a person gets from others. Humans have a need for a stable, firmly based, high level of self-respect, and respect from others. When these needs are satisfied, the person feels self-confident and valuable as a person in the world. When these needs are frustrated, the person feels inferior, weak, helpless and worthless." (Simons, Irwin, & Drinnien)

And, lastly, once all four of the other needs are met, Maslow theorizes that the last self-interest motivator is sought for fulfillment, the need for self-actualization. "Maslow describes self-actualization as a person's need to be and do that which the person was "born to do." (Simons, Irwin, & Drinnien)

All of these five levels are self-interest motivators.