Assignment: Motivational Theories

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Motivational Theories
Write a 5-page assessment in which you describe the theories of two theorists who focus on motivation and explain how the theories represent an advancement over previous models

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Capella Resources

Assignment: Motivational Theories

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Human Motivation and Performance Theories | Transcript.
Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:

Whiteley, P. (2002). Motivation. Oxford, UK: Capstone Publishing.
Reiss, S. (2004). Multifaceted nature of intrinsic motivation: The theory of 16 basic desires. Review of General Psychology, 8(3), 179–193.
Assessment Instructions

For this assessment, select two theorists who focus on motivation and write a paper in which you describe their theories and explain how the theories represent an advancement over previous models.

Preparation

First, select two theorists from the lists below. You may select two individuals who focus on the same area of motivation, or you may select two theorists who focus on different areas.

Area of Motivation: Instinct theories.
Theorists: Darwin, Freud.
Area of Motivation: Need or personality theories.
Theorists: Maslow, Murray, Cattell.
Area of Motivation: Drive or learning theories.
Theorists: Hull, Watson, Skinner.
Area of Motivation: Growth and mastery theories.
Theorists: Deci and Ryan.
Area of Motivation: Humanistic theories.
Theorists: Maslow, Roger.
After you make your selections, research the theories of the two theorists you selected. Keep in mind that your paper must include at least two scholarly sources of supported evidence.

Instructions

Write a paper about the two theories you researched. In your paper, complete the following:

Describe the theories. Identify the theorist associated with the model, the category (area of motivation) of each theory, and the essential elements that comprise each theory. Assess any problems, conflicts, or unresolved issues in the theories.
Explain what differentiates each theory from the other.
Describe how each theory does or does not address the biological, cognitive, and learned components of motivation.
Place the theories within a historical context by explaining why each theory was an improvement on preceding theories in this area of motivation and behavior.
Discuss which theory best informs or describes your personal behavior and why. Consider how the theory relates to you and whether it helps explain why you do some of the things you do.
Additional Requirements

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA sixth edition style and formatting.
Number of resources: At least 2 scholarly academic resources are included.
Length of paper: The length is a minimum of 5 typed, double-spaced pages, not including the title page and reference list.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point font is used.
Motivational Theories Scoring Guide

CRITERIA NON-PERFORMANCE BASIC PROFICIENT DISTINGUISHED Assess any problems, conflicts, or unresolved issues in a description of two motivational theories.Does not describe two motivational theories. Describes two motivational theories but does not assess any problems, conflicts, or unresolved issues in them. Assesses any problems, conflicts, or unresolved issues in a description of two motivational theories. Assesses any problems, conflicts, or unresolved issues in two motivational theories and recommends topics for future research. Explain what differentiates two motivational theories.Does not identify elements that differ between two motivational theories. Identifies but does not explain elements that differ between two motivational theories. Explains what differentiates two motivational theories. Explains what differentiates two motivational theories and illustrates the explanation with examples drawn from professional or personal experience. Describe how two motivational theories do or do not address the biological, cognitive, and learned components of motivation.Does not list ways in which two motivational theories do or do not address the biological, cognitive, and learned components of motivation. Lists ways in which two motivational theories do or do not address the biological, cognitive, and learned components of motivation, but does not include key elements. Describes how two motivational theories do or do not address the biological, cognitive, and learned components of motivation. Integrates research and examples into a description of how two motivational theories do or do not address the biological, cognitive, and learned components of motivation. Explain how two motivational theories represent an improved understanding of motivation and behavior over previous models.Does not identify ways in which each of two motivational theories provides an improved understanding of motivation and behavior over previous models. Identifies some ways in which two motivational theories provide an improved understanding of motivation and behavior over previous models, but leaves out key advances. Explains how two motivational theories represent an improved understanding of motivation and behavior over previous models. Compares and contrasts ways in which two motivational theories represent an improved understanding of motivation and behavior over previous models. Discuss how a motivational theory informs or describes personal behavior.Does not list ways in which a motivational theory informs or describes personal behavior. Lists some ways in which a motivational theory informs or describes personal behavior. Discusses how a motivational theory informs or describes personal behavior. Discusses, with examples, how a motivational theory informs or describes personal behavior and describes ways to modify attitudes and behaviors to improve professional performance. Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.Does not communicate in a manner that is scholarly and professional. Communicates in a manner that is scholarly and professional but is not consistent with expectations for members of professional communities. Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities. Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities, with written communication that is free of errors that detract from the overall message. Apply proper APA formatting and style.Does not apply proper APA formatting and style. Uses adequate written communication but includes some APA errors and inconsistencies. Applies proper APA formatting and style. Applies scholarly writing skills and uses proper APA formatting and style throughout the assessment.

Assignment: Motivational Theories

You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.

Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.

Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.

The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.
Weekly Participation

Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.
APA Format and Writing Quality

Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.
Use of Direct Quotes

I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.
LopesWrite Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.
Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.
Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.