Motivation

Topic A

Motivation

Topic

In chapter one, page 17, Box one, they talk about self-esteem as a bad theory to explain motivation. They infer that one's self-esteem has no effect on one's motivation.

My side

Self-esteem is very much related to motivation.

Assumptions

First, I would like to give my definitions of both:

Motivation = anything that causes the brain to make the body do something.

Self-esteem = how a person believes (right or wrong) their state to be, on a scale

from good to bad or anything in-between; this judgment could be for many

individual things about themselves or anything they are apart of (e.g. family or

team).

I realize that my knowledge on either subject doesn't compare to that of the writers in this book and that my definitions above could be way off, but I do strongly disagree with what they're saying. I realize that if did more research I might agree with them, but that would completely defeat my arguments and give me nothing to write about.

Examples

Clare wants a mandolin. She knows that she needs a $250 to buy it. Day one: she knows she only has $200(self-esteem) but if she works, she'll get that $50(motive) tomorrow. Day two: she now has $250(self-esteem), so she goes and buys the mandolin, but does not go to work (no motive). Day three: Clare wants a mandolin, but since she has one (self-esteem), she doesn't go to the store, she goes to her closet.

Tom wants to be a certified mechanic. He knows he needs to pass a test with an 80% score (motive). Tom has never taken the test before and feels as though he wouldn't get a good score (self-esteem). Actually, Tom has been an uncertified mechanic for eight years would ace the test if he took it now. Nevertheless, Tom studies extensively and passes with 98%.

Marie wants to ask Vic on a date. She knows that Vic won't go out with any old girl, she's gotta look good (motive). Marie plans to find him at his hang out later that night. So she gets all prettied up, but when she looks in the mirror, she frowns and thinks shell never be pretty enough for Vic (self-esteem); and consequently stays home (no motivation). Ironically, Vic already has a crush on Marie and would have gone out with her, prettied up or not.