Joining The Dots: Assumptions in Work Motivation Theories

One way of getting a sense of the numerous theories of work motivation without having to examine each in detail is to examine some of their core assumptions or themes (Diefendorf & Chandler, 2011).  What are the basic assumptions made across most of the more contemporary theories?

Assumption 1:  Behaviour is goal directed. 

Goals are internal representations of what we want to achieve or desired end-states.  The assumption here is that the purpose of all or almost all behaviour is to help us achieve a goal.  In other words, behaviour is purposeful and active.

Assumption 2:  Goals are hierarchically arranged. 

Goals can be large and longer-term or small and relatively immediate.  What directs our minute-to-minute attention and motivational process is a focus on immediate goals or actions that will in principle help us attain a goal at a higher level.

In order to understand why someone is pursuing a lower level goal we need to understand how that goal relates to higher level goals.  This process is implicit in development reviews where we may ask an employee what they want to achieve as a higher level goal and help them consider ways they can do that by accomplishing lower level goals.

Assumption 3:  Discrepancy reduction is a basic universal process. 

Goals drive behaviour because there is a discrepancy between the current state and the goal.  If there is no discrepancy it means the goal has already been achieved and so we no longer need to direct our behaviour towards achieving it.  In general, discrepancies feel uncomfortable or unpleasant and reducing or removing the discrepancy produces positive feelings.

Assumption 4:  Approach or avoidance underlies all motivational tendency. 

Approach goals are those we want to attain in order to bring pleasure or a sense of satisfaction.  Avoidance goals are those we want to attain in order to avoid something unpleasant.  In the case of meeting a deadline, for example, this could be an approach or avoidance goal.  We may work towards the goal in order to experience the pleasure of being effective and meeting the deadline.  On the other hand, we may work towards the goal in order to avoid the unpleasant feelings that accompany missing a deadline.

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