Discussion:
Watch The Puzzle of Motivation | Dan Pink before working on this week’s assignments. (TED talk)
Review this week’s assigned reading and resources to prepare for this discussion.
Social learning theory allows psychologists to make general and specific assumptions about behaviors in order to measure them and thereafter predict possible behaviors in general and specific contexts. Julian Rotter’s social learning theory asserts that while personality traits influence individual behaviors, researchers and psychologists could not ignore the influence of how individuals interact with their environments on personality. For example, Rotter believes behavior change comes from changing how an individual thinks or the environment in which the individual interacts and therefore personality is changeable in different contexts. According to Rotter’s concept of “locus of control,” individuals either believe they have or do not have control over how they get rewarded in some way. Rotter believes that if someone believes they have more internal control over receiving reward/reinforcement for their behaviors, there is more potential for shifts in personality traits or styles.
Respond
Discuss ways to impact expectancy and/or reward value to motivate action in one of the characters in one of the other two scenarios you did not choose. Provide support for your response.
Cite and share findings of a research study that examines motivation in a workplace, educational system or volunteer organization using this theory.
Requirements
Initial posts should be a 250-300 words.
All references should be in the last 7 years, references older than seven years may be used to supplement but will not be counted as course required references
Support your initial post by citing scholarly/authoritative research articles other than the textbook.
