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Theories about Motivation

What is a theory?

A theory is an explanation of something that has some predictive value. In the case of motivation, theories of motivation attempt to find an explanation about how people are driven to carrying out an action. It is hoped that this explanation will then lead to an ability to be able to make some predictions. If x happens in this way then if you do x, you will be able to achieve the desired result. This might be the value and use of a theory.

Many theories will be developed using some form of scientific method. When we are dealing with humans we might use methods that do have some science behind it - using brain scanning technologies for example, or we might use observation of human behaviour and try to generate a means of predicting human behaviour in general as a result of that observation.

To be really useful, a theory has to have been subject to repeated testing and have some predictive value - to be able to tell us what might happen in certain situations. Einstein's theory of relativity was a theory that revolutionised physics - it helped explain a great deal about the universe and has predictive qualities. Copyright: Brian S, from stock.xchng.

To really make a theory valuable, it will have to be capable of being replicated. What this means is that it is not sufficient to just observe one individual's behaviour and then say that this is how everyone behaves. To have some value, the observation must be repeated across a wide representative sample.

Why do we need to know about theories?

It is important when doing investigative work, specially about motivation, that we remember that the existing theories on human behaviour are just that - theories. Theories are there to be challenged. Over a period of time, theories come and go. Just because you read one theory does not mean to say it is exactly what happens or that is how humans behave. As time passes and we gain new knowledge, theories may become totally discredited. Think about the theory that the world was flat - great idea based on observation 5,000 years ago but not a theory that many people would accept as being correct or accurate today!

There are many different theories about motivation at work. We will focus on four of these. These four theories are the most common theories that appear in GCSE business and business and economics courses.

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