Motivating Humans

Integrates classical and contemporary Motivation theory into a framework the author calls Motivational Systems Theory, from which he derives 17 principles for motivating humans. Shows how this can be applied to promote social responsibility in youth, and increase work productivity and learning achievement.

Motivating Humans represents an excellent integration of different motivational constructs. . . . The main purpose of Ford′s book and his theory, motivational systems theory (MST), is to provide an integrative and coherent model of motivation that synthesizes the various constructs from the different theories into one comprehensive framework. . . . It represents an important addition to the knowledge base on motivation and will be generative of much future research. Moreover, the book presents the framework in a scholarly, yet readable, fashion that makes the book accessible to professional psychologists as well as graduate and undergraduate students. --Paul R. Pintrich in Contemporary Psychology Why do people do the things they do? In Motivating Humans, Ford answers this age-old question and offers the reader a precise and comprehensive description of the basic substance of human motivation--what it is, how it works, and how it impacts what people do and how well they do it. He also shows how classic and contemporary motivation theory in education, management, and psychology can be integrated into a coherent and unified framework called Motivational Systems Theory, from which he derives 17 principles for motivating humans. Different from any other motivation book, Motivating Humans presents numerous unique features: a variety of concrete examples to bridge the gap between abstract theory and the world of practical human affairs; an applications chapter that explores such issues as ways to promote social responsibility in youth, ways to increase work productivity and job satisfaction, and ways to increase learning and school achievement; the most up-to-date coverage of recent studies in motivation; and, pedagogical devices, including summary tables to help the reader digest and remember key information. Unique, comprehensive, and accessibly written, Motivating Humans will inspire a wide readership, including professors and students in psychology, management, education, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. Class-Tested: What the Students Say . . . "The chart on the history of motivational theory organized broadly by MST concepts was extremely helpful in providing the reader with a look at the field in a glance." "First and foremost, the fact that this is a legitimate psychological theory and I can understand it, having had very little other exposure to psychology, is a very strong aspect of the book. Is refers to and explains a variety of psychological theories and principles without losing me. Also, any theory that seems to unify a large volume of disparate work is always attractive to mr, especially if it does a good enough job surveying its predecessors as I think the book does. Finally, I think that the summary of the LSF in chapter two was integral to the ′largeness′ or wide-view of the book. It helped to tie in and explain the ′whole-person′ approach to motivational theory." I really liked how MST emphasized the role of emotions in motivation and human action where other theories had rationalized them. Emotions are very powerful and, I believe, virtually impossible to explain away--something that I think psychology does too readily." "Motivational Systems Theory is the most comprehensive and compelling theory of human motivation which I have seen to date. Martin Ford has taken an impoverished and muddled field of psychological inquiry and transformed it into a coherent and useful tool for explaining human behavior. Chapter 6 is especially brilliant. It gives an overview of all the major (and most of the not-so-major) theories and capitalizes on their similarities rather than their differences." "Most practitioners in schools and business recognize the value of motivating people and do so operating from their gut; it is good to know that there is a workable and logical theory to put behind the practice and help refine it. Chapter 7 is particularly helpful; one could read this chapter and none others and still benefit." "Finally, a book which will help educators turn their students on to learning. It should be required reading for all classroom teachers." Praise for this volume . . . "Motivating Humans, by Martin Ford, presents one of the most complete and comprehensive theories of human motivation yet to be proposed. This is a significant work that is essential reading for all interested both in understanding motivation and in applying motivational principles in the workplace." --Robert J. Sternberg, Yale University "Motivating Humans is a well thought-out and well-organized book that focuses on issues of motivation. Educators, in particular, will be interested in this volume. It utilizes a combination of logic and existing literature to build its case. . . . Martin Ford′s work is creative, yet analytic. Motivating Humans will certainly stimulate some serious class discussion." --Gerald R. Adams, College of Family and Consumer Studies University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada "Using a broad, systems perspective, Ford has skillfully organized a wide and all-too-often confusing array of advances in motivation theory and research. Students, researchers, and practitioners in education and psychology should find this book most helpful in providing a clear and thought-provoking introduction to the field." --Ruth Kanfer, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota "Motivating Humans contains a wealth of information--from theory to application--to help educators increase school learning and achievement. Twenty-five pages of bibliography alone make this book attest to its thoroughness. A chapter of theories of motivation can only be regarded as definitive--some 31 theories of motivation are described and arranged in a table format. . . . Ford regards facilitation, not control, as the guiding idea for motivating people; an idea that fits nicely with the growing role of teacher as facilitator. Wisely, he offers no ready formula for facilitating motivation, for ′there are no magic motivational buttons that can be pushed to make people want to learn, work hard, and act in a responsible manner.′ But Ford does offer a comprehensive glimpse into the mechanism of motivation for those who are trying to find their own paths toward inspiring it. . . . It deserves the highest praise and the widest reading for its treatment of such a complex subject in such an accessible and thorough manner. Motivating Humans should serve long as the standard source and reference on motivation." --Educational Leadership

A top leadership consultant says: Stop trying to motivate people! Find a powerful alternative to the carrot and stick in this science-driven guide. It's frustrating for everyone involved and it just doesn’t work. You can’t motivate people—they are already motivated, but generally in superficial and short-term ways. In this book, Susan Fowler builds upon the latest scientific research on the nature of human motivation to lay out a tested model and course of action that will help leaders guide their people toward the kind of motivation that not only increases productivity and engagement but that gives them a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. Fowler argues that leaders still depend on traditional carrot-and-stick techniques because they haven’t understood their alternatives and don’t know what skills are necessary to apply the new science of motivation. Her Optimal Motivation process shows leaders how to move people away from dependence on external rewards and help them discover how their jobs can meet the deeper psychological needs—for autonomy, relatedness, and competence—that science tells us result in meaningful and sustainable motivation. Optimal Motivation has been proven in organizations all over the world—Fowler’s clients include Microsoft, CVS, NASA, the Catholic Leadership Institute, H&R Block, Mattel, and dozens more. Throughout this book, she illustrates how each step of the process works using real-life examples—and offers a groundbreaking answer for leaders who want to get motivation right!

Harvard Business Review on Motivating People Lack of motivation can lead to employee inefficiency and low productivity-not to mention higher turnover rate. This evergreen collection ofHarvard Business Reviewarticles will help managers in struggling companies retain their key workers and create happy working environments. This timeless volume features new and classic articles on leadership, inspiration, compensation, performance measurement, and more. The Harvard Business Review Paperback Series The series is designed to bring today's managers and professionals the fundamental information they need to stay competitive in a fast-moving world. From the preeminent thinkers whose work has defined an entire field to the rising stars who will redefine the way we think about business, here are the leading minds and landmark ideas that have established theHarvard Business Reviewas required reading for ambitious businesspeople in organizations around the globe.

Why is one person motivated to create a business empire whilst another is inspired to produce a beautiful work of art? Why do some people prefer a quiet life? The Psychobiology of Human Motivation explores what directs our behaviour, from basic physiological needs like hunger and thirst to more complex aspects of social behaviour like altruism. Hugh Wagner explores the limits of biological explanations and shows how humans can influence `basic' physiological drives in order to adapt to a complex social environment.

Human Motivation, originally published in 1987, offers a broad overview of theory and research from the perspective of a distinguished psychologist whose creative empirical studies of human motives span forty years. David McClelland describes methods for measuring motives, the development of motives out of natural incentives and the relationship of motives to emotions, to values and to performance under a variety of conditions. He examines four major motive systems - achievement, power, affiliation and avoidance - reviewing and evaluating research on how these motive systems affect behaviour. Scientific understanding of motives and their interaction, he argues, contributes to understanding of such diverse and important phenomena as the rise and fall of civilisations, the underlying causes of war, the rate of economic development, the nature of leadership, the reasons for authoritarian or democratic governing styles, the determinants of success in management and the factors responsible for health and illness. Students and instructors alike will find this book an exciting and readable presentation of the psychology of human motivation.

Motivation is that which moves us to action. Human motivation is thus a complex issue, as people are moved to action by both their evolved natures and by myriad familial, social and cultural influences. The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation collects the top theorists and researchers of human motivation into a single volume, capturing the current state-of-the-art in this fast developing field. The book includes theoretical overviews from some of the best-known thinkers in this area, including chapters on Social Learning Theory, Control Theory, Self-determination theory, Terror Management theory, and the Promotion and Prevention perspective. Topical chapters appear on phenomena such as ego-depletion, flow, curiosity, implicit motives, and personal interests. A section specifically highlights goal research, including chapters on goal regulation, achievement goals, the dynamics of choice, unconscious goals and process versus outcome focus. Still other chapters focus on evolutionary and biological underpinnings of motivation, including chapters on cardiovascular dynamics, mood, and neuropsychology. Finally, chapters bring motivation down to earth in reviewing its impact within relationships, and in applied areas such as psychotherapy, work, education, sport, and physical activity. By providing reviews of the most advanced work by the very best scholars in this field, The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation represents an invaluable resource for both researchers and practitioners, as well as any student of human nature.

Help your people reach their potential. As a manager, it's your responsibility to ensure your team is motivated and performing at a high level. But recent data reveals abysmal engagement levels among workers around the globe. How do you fix the problem--before your most talented people walk out the door? By understanding what drains your employees, you can increase their job satisfaction and push them toward achieving their goals. The HBR Guide to Motivating People provides practical tips and advice to help your team find meaning in their work, build on their strengths, and produce the best results for the organization. You'll learn how to: Pinpoint the root causes of lackluster performance Tailor rewards and recognition to individuals Connect routine work activities to a higher purpose Support your employees' growth and development Prevent burnout--especially in your top performers Create a culture of engagement Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

The New York Times bestseller that gives readers a paradigm-shattering new way to think about motivation from the author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing Most people believe that the best way to motivate is with rewards like money—the carrot-and-stick approach. That's a mistake, says Daniel H. Pink (author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others). In this provocative and persuasive new book, he asserts that the secret to high performance and satisfaction-at work, at school, and at home—is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does—and how that affects every aspect of life. He examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose-and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action in a unique book that will change how we think and transform how we live.

Weiner introduces -- and offers his own motivation for producing - - this most impressive work with the following: There are two distinct approaches to the study of motivation. One stratagem is a product of academic, experimental procedures, while the second is an outgrowth of clinical, non-experimental methods. Each of the approaches has unique advantages and disadvantages. But all investigators in this field are guided by a single basic question, namely, "Why do organisms think and behave as they do?" To help answer that basic question, Human Motivation presents an entire range of motivation studies -- from psychoanalytic, social learning and humanistic theory; to social facilitation, arousal, emotions, personal responsibility, and the irrationality of attributions; through chapterand verse of Hullian and Lewinian theory.