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Issue 365 // Institute Inbrief
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Dear <<First Name>>,
Welcome to Edition 365 of Institute Inbrief. Motivation is a well-known topic for organisations who are interested in getting the maximum results from staff. However, understanding motivation not only profits businesses; there are also benefits for individuals. This edition's featured article will define motivation, provide a summary of motivation theories and look at strategies for how to apply these theories in practice.
Also in this edition:
- AIPC's Upskill Micro-credentials
- Understanding Diverse Genders and Sexualities
- Revisiting Subpersonalities for Internal Conflict
- Rebuilding Romantic Intimacy
- Quotations, Seminar Timetables & More!
Enjoy your reading!
Kind regards,
Sandra Poletto
CEO, Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors.
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Diploma of Counselling
Join one of the most personally enriching careers.
There is no more rewarding way to help others than by providing emotional support that assists people get their lives back on track.
AIPC is the largest provider of counselling courses in the country. We have specialised in counsellor training for over 30 years. We have proudly helped over 55,000 people from 27 countries pursue their personal and career interests in counselling.
Our Diploma of Counselling is a journey of self-discovery, providing deep insight into why you think and behave as you do. And when you graduate, you will be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in counselling – employed or self-employed – enjoying our strong industry reputation and linkage.
As a Counsellor you will:
- Be truly passionate about what you do.
- Help people every day overcome challenges and lead better lives.
- Enjoy job security in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country.
- Have the freedom of owning your own business.
Ready to start your Counselling journey, <<First Name>>?
LEARN MORE 
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Community Services Courses
Helping You Help Your Community
By gaining a qualification within the Community Services sector, you will be contributing to an industry that serves a very important purpose: to assist those with personal or relationship challenges. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping others overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. And there’s no better time to do that than now!
Diploma of Mental Health - learn more
Gain knowledge and skills to provide services to those with mental health concerns.
Diploma of Financial Counselling - learn more
Do you want to help others who are facing financial hardship?
Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) - learn more
Join one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the country!
Diploma of Youth Work - learn more
Do you want to positively influence the next generation?
Bachelor of Human Services - learn more
A flexible and affordable alternative to traditional tertiary education.
LEARN MORE
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AIPC Upskill Micro-credentials
Our digitally badged short course micro-credentials will provide you with new skills and a deeper understanding in a range of important areas.
Each program is carefully crafted to enhance your personal and professional development. Each short course micro-credential is between 20 and 40 hours of deep, rich, learning. Learn more about each program by clicking the links below:
- Creative and Critical Thinking
- Working with Mental Health
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
- Working with Adolescents
- Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace
- Diverse Genders and Sexualities
- Working with Children
LEARN MORE
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Understanding the Psychology of Motivation
Motivation is a well-known topic for organisations who are interested in getting the maximum results from staff. However, understanding motivation not only profits businesses; there are also benefits for individuals. Understanding the psychology of motivation can help a person to utilise their time, money and energy in the most efficient way so they are able to achieve their life goals. There are many approaches to understanding the concept of motivation and it is worth reviewing the theories to gain a conceptual understanding of the psychology behind motivation. This article will define motivation, provide a summary of motivation theories and look at strategies for how to apply these theories in practice.
What is motivation?
Before we delve into the theories of motivation, let’s first understand its meaning. Motivation is something we all need to accomplish goals, but what drives motivation? Motivation is defined as ‘the need or reason for doing something’ or the ‘willingness to do something’ (Cambridge Dictionary, 2021). In effect, it is the “psychological forces that determines the direction of a person’s level of effort and a person’s level of persistence in the face of obstacles.” Furthermore, motivation is what prompts human beings’ reaction to fulfil their needs or expectations. Motivation is also understood as the reason for our behaviour, or the ‘what’ and ‘why’ we do something (Oxford Review, 2022). In simple terms we can understand motivation as being the reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way and the drive we have to accomplish goals. When a person is self-motivated, they are less likely to need or expect external encouragements to complete a task, even if the task is complex. In contrast, negative motivation is governed by expectation and possibly the fear of not being able to achieve an outcome. For example, fear is a powerful motivator when we are concerned about maintaining our survival or future. Motivation is important in life as it provides goals to work toward, and helps to solve problems, change habits, cope with challenges and access opportunities.
Theories of motivation
Motivation is a well-researched topic with many theories explaining the concept. Presented here are some motivation theories from a variety of theorists to gain some understanding.
A popular and foundational motivation theory is Maslow’s (1943) hierarchy of needs which posits five levels: physiological, safety, social, ego and self-actualisation. At the bottom of the hierarchy are basic physiological needs for survival, including food, shelter, air, warmth, sex and sleep. Without these basic physiological needs the human body cannot function at its best. Once these needs are satisfied, we then move to the next level of needs which is safety. At this level, people are motivated by the need to feel safe and secure which includes emotional security, financial security, law and order, social stability, freedom from fear, property, health and wellbeing. The third level is love and belongingness, the emotional need for interpersonal relationships, connectedness, being part of a group, receiving and giving affection and love. The fourth level is esteem needs of dignity, achievement, mastery, independence, the desire for reputation or respect from others such as status and prestige. Finally, when all other needs have been met, the fifth level s is the need for self-actualisation which includes self-fulfilment and seeking personal growth and realising one’s best potential. Maslow’s theory argues that people may move through the different level of needs according to the person’s circumstances.
Vroom’s expectancy theory provides a contrast to Maslow’s theory by focusing on the process of motivation and argues that a person’s motivation is determined by the value they place on different motivations (Vroom, cited in Lee & Raschke, 2016). This results in the person choosing to behave in such a way that will give them the best outcome. In Vroom’s view, motivation is based on three variables of expectancy, instrumentally, and valence. Expectancy refers to the person’s belief that when they raise their efforts then rewards will also be raised. Instrumentally refers to rewards being based on performance and the more you have control over when, how, and why you will receive the rewards which increases motivation. Lastly, valence is the value placed on the expected outcome and in turn effects the motivation.
Lawrence and Noria’s motivation theory is a cross disciplinary perspective that combines traditional and new perspectives of psychology, neuroscience and biology. Lawrence and Noria’s theory is known as the human drives theory and argues that motivation is driven by a person’s will to acquire, bond, comprehend and defend. The person’s will to acquire is fulfilled by reward systems, bond is driven by culture, comprehension is driven by job design and the drive to defend is fulfilled by performance management and resource allocation processes. When these drives are fulfilled, motivation and organisational performance is maximised (Lawrence & Nohria, 2002 cited in Lee & Raschke, 2016).
Deci’s cognitive evaluation theory explains that intrinsic motivation is an internal driver that utilises internal tendances to motivate behaviour and overcome challenges (Deci, 1971; cited in Deci & Ryan, 1985). People are motivated based on their internal needs and behave in a certain way due to internal rewards and satisfaction. Deci argued that people should be intrinsically motivated to minimise the effects of external factors. Intrinsic motivation is also an important motivator for developing knowledge, adaptation and growth capacity which are all essential for human development.
Herzberg’s theory categorises motivation into either motivators and hygiene. Motivators refer to intrinsic factors such as achievement and recognition, leading to job satisfaction. Hygiene, or extrinsic factors, refers to factors such as pay and job security as leading to dissatisfaction. According to Herzberg, extrinsic factors cannot motivate people, but they can minimise dissatisfaction if used appropriately; motivators can fulfil a person’s needs and satisfaction for having meaning and personal growth. According to Herzberg, once hygiene factors are addressed, the motivators will lead to job satisfaction and increased production (Herzberg, Mausner, & Snyderman in Weiner, 1990).
A simple theory of motivation is Skinner’s reinforcement theory which states if a person is displaying behaviours that lead to positive outcomes, then the person will repeat those behaviours (Lee & Raschke, 2016). If a person’s behaviours lead to negative outcomes, then the behaviours won’t be repeated. Extrinsic rewards can also be used to positively reinforce a person’s behaviour and performance feedback and/or punishment can be used to negatively reinforce or discourage a person’s negative behaviour.
Strategies for motivation
After reviewing these theories of motivation, it is evident there is none that can provide all the answers and understandings. It is more about finding the best approach that suits you and your situation, or combining multiple theories and aspects of theories that resonate to you and your situation. Whilst the theories provide us with tools to understand the drivers of motivation, it is also important to consider the practical application of motivational theories.
Posing the following questions and reflecting on the answers will put the motivation theories into practice and help you understand your internal drivers:
- What are my career and life goals? Ensure goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and set a Timeframe) and break goals into smaller goals and smaller sub goals.
- How much do I value my career and life goals?
- Do my goals align with my purpose in life?
- What are the barriers to achieving my goal?
- What can I do to overcome the barriers?
- Be mindful of internal barriers and self-limiting beliefs, for example fear of failure, lack of self-esteem and not believing in yourself. Then transform these internal barriers by having a positive mindset e.g. instead of saying “I can’t do this” say “I can’t do this yet, but I will keep working on it until I can.”
- What are my strengths?
- How can I maximise my strengths to help achieve my goals?
- What are my areas of development?
- What can I do to improve my areas of development so they don’t become a barrier in achieving my goals?
As motivation theories tell us, people have fundamental psychological needs to be met on an ongoing basis to develop and function at an optimum level. The following questions address the need for satisfaction in the workplace and asks questions concerning your feelings toward your job. On the scale below, indicate how true each of the following questions are for you given your experiences at work (Psychological Scales, 2022).
1 (not at all true) 2 3 4 5 6 7 (very true)
- I feel like I can make a lot of inputs to deciding how my job gets done.
- I really like the people I work with.
- I do not feel very competent when I am at work.
- People at work tell me I am good at what I do.
- I feel pressured at work.
- I get along with people at work.
- I pretty much keep to myself when I am at work.
- I am free to express my ideas and opinions on the job.
- I consider the people I work with to be my friends.
- I have been able to learn interesting new skills on my job.
- When I am at work‚ I have to do what I am told.
- Most days I feel a sense of accomplishment from working.
- My feelings are taken into consideration at work.
- On my job I do not get much of a chance to show how capable I am.
- People at work care about me.
- There are not many people at work that I am close to.
- I feel like I can be myself at work.
- The people I work with do not seem to like me much.
- When I am working, I often do not feel very capable.
- There is not much opportunity for me to decide for myself how to go about my work.
- People at work are pretty friendly toward me.
Once you have answered these questions and you find there are some areas that aren’t satisfying your needs, you can then develop a motivation plan. In your motivation plan focus on what you can control and do to help your situation. Remember, motivation is a skill that needs to be practiced and learnt so don’t feel like you need to be a master in the beginning. Having a positive attitude and commitment to improving your motivation skills is the key to success.
Sometimes it can be challenging to find the motivation to start working toward your goal. Here are some tips to help get motivated and stay motivated:
- Make your goals specific and achievable.
- Think about the best way you can achieve your goal.
- Think of a time when you felt especially good about your job. Why did you feel that way?
- Think of a time when you felt especially bad about your job. Why did you feel that way?
- Break your goal into smaller goals.
- Get support from family and friends, perhaps tell them about your goals so they can encourage you.
- Make your goals part of your daily routine. Use a diary or app to set a reminder and set milestones that need to be achieved by a certain date.
- Reward yourself when you have completed a milestone or goal.
- Regularly review goals and progress.
- Keep your goals up to date.
- If you lose motivation then review your goals, remember the ‘why’ for your goal.
- Take a break when feeling fatigued to recharge yourself and your motivation (Health Direct, 2020).
Remember you are an individual with unique circumstances, background and experiences. What motivates one person might not work for another. It is important to make an effort to understand both your internal and external motivators and choose the theory and practice that best suit you and your circumstances.
References
- Cambridge Dictionary, 2021. ‘Meaning of motivation in English’. Accessed on 9/2/21 at website.
- Deci, E.L & Ryan, R. M, 1985. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior, 43-85.
- Health Direct, 2020. Motivation: how to get started and staying motivated. Accessed on 14/02/22 at website.
- Lee, M. T & Raschke, R. L. 2016. Understanding employee motivation and organizational performance: Arguments for a set-theoretic approach, Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, Volume 1, Issue 3, Pages 162-169,ISSN 2444-569X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2016.01.004.
- Maslow, A.H. 1943, A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50 (4), pp.370-396.
- Oxford Review, 2022. Motivation definition-explanation. Accessed on 10/2/22 from website.
- Psychological Scales, 2022. Basic psychological needs scales. Accessed on 12/02/22 at website.
- Shkoler, O., & Kimura, T. 2020. How Does Work Motivation Impact Employees' Investment at Work and Their Job Engagement? A Moderated-Moderation Perspective Through an International Lens. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 38. Vol. 82, No. 4, 616-622, Journal or Educational Psychology, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00038
- Syptak, J.M, Marsland, D. W, & Ulmer, D. 1999. Job satisfaction: putting theory into practice. Fam Pract Manag. 1999 Oct;6(9):26-30. Access at website.
- Weiner, B. 1990. History of motivational research in education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 82(4), 616–622. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.82.4.616.
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Understanding Diverse Genders and Sexualities
To work effectively with a range of clients, it is important for counsellors to understand the concept of diverse genders and sexualities and to reflect upon what these concepts mean in the context of their own practice and the client-counsellor relationship.
READ MORE
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Revisiting Subpersonalities for Internal Conflict
Peter is 32, with a wife and three young children. Living in a medium-sized town in Western Australia, Peter has had jobs in the field of social work since gaining his social work degree in Perth. He has a sensitive personality and has always found some aspects of the work difficult to face emotionally, but in the last year or two, the reality of this work has just been too much for him.
READ MORE
More articles: www.aipc.net.au/articles
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MHA Credential Courses
Take a deep-dive with some of the world’s leading mental health & wellbeing experts. Learn new skills. Connect with peers. Earn a Digital Credential.
MHA Credential Courses are self-paced, deep-dive, content-rich (20+ hours of learning) programs led by internationally-renowned experts.
Each course is meticulously crafted and contains a range of learning resources including video lectures, peer-reviewed articles, case studies, workbooks, assessments, practical activities, and more. Credentials are 100% self-paced and accessible on-demand, so learners can start at any time and progress at their own pace.
Upon completion of an MHA Credential Course, you are issued with an MHA Digital Badge (an internationally-verifiable digital credential) and a professional development (CPD) Certificate of Attainment.
Currently offered MHA Credential Courses include:
- Disaster Mental Health Counselling
- Applied Positive Psychology: Finding Mastery & Flourishing
- Science and Practice of Wellbeing
- Evidence-based Parenting: Raising Children to Thrive
LEARN MORE
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Have you visited Counselling Connection yet? Our official blog has over 500 posts counselling, psychology, self-growth, and more! Make sure you too get connected. Below is a link to one of our popular blog posts.
Rebuilding Romantic Intimacy
If you are in a long-term relationship, you may find yourself reminiscing about the past and asking yourself: what happened to the joy we used to feel in the honeymoon period? In this article, we focus on this question, and numerous strategies to help rebuild your romantic intimacy.
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More posts: www.counsellingconnection.com
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"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain."
~ James Baldwin
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Many students of the Diploma of Counselling attend seminars to complete the practical requirements of their course. Seminars provide an ideal opportunity to network with other students and liaise with qualified counselling professionals in conjunction with completing compulsory coursework.
Seminar topics include:
- The Counselling Process
- Communication Skills I
- Communication Skills II
- Counselling Therapies I
- Counselling Therapies II
- Legal & Ethical Frameworks
- Brief Interventions and Loss & Grief Support
- Individualised Support and Working with Mental Health
- Advanced Counselling Techniques
Click here to access all seminar timetables online.
To register for a seminar, please contact your Student Support Centre.
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