by Hala Monsour

Created on: May 20, 2007

Impact of Motivation on Adult-Learners

Motivation is an important aspect in everyone's life. There is no way around it. Whether people lack it or embrace it, motivation exists. The words desire and the need to succeed' come to mind every time I think of motivation. Generally, adults know what their goals, needs and desires are for the now and future; however, some lack that special ingredient; the flare, the core of motivation the ultimate desire where regardless of the circumstances, the internal goals will always take precedence. One area deserving the spotlight is education, education and the adult-learner to be more specific.

Many adults are seeking continued higher education for different reasons; job security, income stability, setting the example, or just simply for self-improvement. However, how can learners stay focused and succeed, when work and other obligations has them going in many different directions? Whether intrinsic or extrinsic, motivation is a deeply engrained value and factor that can literally have a tremendous impact on one's behavior and lifestyle.

One can examine two of the many theories in existence. Two theories which focus on meeting needs and assessing motivating factors are described in Herzberg's motivating factors and Maslow's growth needs. Maslow and Herzberg provide complementary theories regarding motivation. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory (basic and growth needs), one is to meet and satisfy the basic needs before they choose to focus and move to the external needs in terms of higher level of growth.

In other words, internalize your needs and meet those that are most important, which bring the peace of mind you so desire; once you are there, achieving and meeting additional needs is icing on the cake, but must come secondary to your personal needs. One the personal needs have been reasonably satisfied, one may be able to reach the highest-level of achievement called self-actualization. Accordingly, Frederick Herzberg's motivator and hygiene factors theory, explains that motivating factors increase job satisfaction through recognition, achievement, work itself, responsibility, advancement and growth.

Remember, for these theories to exist, each individual must take a stand in what he or she believes in; in other words, each person must act on his or her beliefs and apply those beliefs in everyday living. While keeping in mind the two theories, the Learner-Centered Principles' motivation factors can further shed

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