Psy 320 Workplace Motivation Paper

Workplace Motivation Paper
Tara Torp
Psy/320
May 11, 2015
Francine Sims

Workplace Motivation Paper
According to WolframAlpha Viewer Application, “141 million people are currently employed in the United States of America” (4.0). What motivates 141 million people to be employed? For most people, the motivational reasons for employment are financial. The financial stability that a job provides allows employees to have the basic physiological needs necessary to maintaining homeostasis. Financially stability allows individuals to acquire food, shelter, provide for their families, pay bills, and gives individuals a sense of purpose and belonging. The writer works as a Registered Nurse in a chemical dependency unit at Southern California Hospital
If someone does not get paid enough to provide food and shelter for his or her family, he or she is not going to be motivated by a ‘thank you’ card. On the other hand, when an employee has fulfilled the needs associated with one level, he or she is no longer motivated by the factors that are associated with the levels below (Hawks, 2011). For example, the employers in high-ranking positions of power are rarely motivated by money because their financial needs are already met. However, positive reinforcement may increase his or her self-esteem, thus increasing his or her performance level. If employers want their employees to perform at higher levels, it is vital for them to understand how they are motivated. By putting the reward structure in place to motivate employees, employers can create an environment that will encourage their employees to succeed (Hawk,
Different needs motivate different people. This theory of motivation is based on three concepts: achievement, affiliation, and power (Reeve, 2009). Employees seek achievement over realistic and challenging goals in the workplace in hopes of leading to job advancement. The concept of affiliation can be applied in the workplace by means of employees forming close personal relationships and interactions with other people. The third concept, power, is probably one that could definitely be beneficial when applied to Southern California Hospital at Culver City’s Chemical Dependency Unit. Most individuals, including employees, are motivated by authoritative figures. In this scenario one may think of a police officer. When an individual is driving over the speed limit and he or she gets pulled over by the police, the individual is motivated to pull over in fear of the consequences that can be put in place by the police officer (an authoritative figure). Employees that are seeking a position of power are motivated by the need to feel influential and effective in order for them to make an