motivation

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Industrial psychologists study job performance; beyond that, Industrial psychologists analyze many criterion and predictors of work behaviors. It is important for psychologists to closely examine the relationship between a powerful criterion of intrinsic motivation and individual self-advocacy. Studying intrinsic motivation as a predictor of self-advocacy allows psychologists to predict whether or not intrinsic motivation has a positive or negative effect on people’s ability to engage in self-advocacy in work behaviors of organizations.  In order to understand how intrinsic motivation predicts the tendency of self-advocacy, we need to analyze the relationship between the two. Therefore, we need to define intrinsic motivation and self-advocacy.  Intrinsic motivation is any behavior that is caused by internal factors, which comes from the qualities of an individual’s personality and experiences.  My research shows that self-advocacy consists of any actions that allow people to speak up for themselves and stand up for what they believe in. However, advocating for yourself does not mean that people have to depend completely on other people. It also does not mean individuals must do everything on their own.  For self-advocacy to occur there needs to be a balance between being independent and knowing when to ask for help.

Many studies define intrinsically motivated behaviors as any behaviors that individuals are engaged in for the activity’s own sake. People perform these actions for the pleasure and satisfaction derived from the results. When intrinsically motivated, people engage in activities that interest them, and they do so freely, with a full sense of volition and without the necessity of material rewards or constraints (Deci & Ryan, 1985).  For example, a basic researcher is intrinsically motivated because they are engaged in research for knowledge’s sake. Moreover, the child who reads a book for the inherent pleasure of doing so is intrinsically motivated for that activity. Intrinsically motivated behaviors represent the prototype of self-determination. They emanate from the self and are fully endorsed (Deci & Ryan, 1985).  In order to understand the power of intrinsic motivation to start social movements, or fight injustice and social inequalities in organizations,   people must learn the skills of self-advocacy to be heard.  As a result, intrinsic motivation allows for self-advocacy to exist because people need internal forces such as religion, internalized social norms, interests, and hobbies to initiate the need for self-advocacy. The more motivated individuals are, the more they feel the desire to advocate for themselves in their work behaviors. This makes them more productive and more likely to achieve self-advocacy or their goals in life.  An important theory on motivation is self-determination theory.

Based on my research, Self-Advocacy is one form of communicating your message to other people in a way that represents what you stand for. This process occurs any time people speak or act on their own behalf to improve their quality of life, effect personal change, or correct inequalities (Concunan-Lahr and Brotherson as cited in Brown, 1999). Many studies define self-advocacy in different ways. For example, according to Strodden (2005), Self-advocacy is referred to as the ability to articulate one’s needs and make informed decisions about the supports necessary to meet those needs (Strodden, as cited in Test et al, 2005).  Therefore, psychologists establish how powerful the relationship between intrinsic motivation and self-advocacy truly is.

Based on a study by Deci and Ryan (2000b) there is a positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and self-advocacy. This means that individuals with high intrinsic motivation are more likely to engage in work behaviors that lead to self-advocacy than people who do not have intrinsic motivation. Individuals need to be intrinsically motivated in order to focus on an issue since people advocate about something that has personal meaning and value attached to it, something they care about. People educate themselves about issues just to be more informed, and not to get any personal gain. Once a person educates himself or herself on an issue, they might then seek out others that are being affected, and try to develop a strategy for improving the service for others. Self-Advocates use many ideas to capture the attention of officials or other powers through standing up for what they believe in rather than leaving things as they are. There is no right or wrong way to organize others, but the most important thing is how the group comes to the decision together. The power is in the group working together to make a difference in people’s lives. Everyone has the ability to advocate, they just need the intrinsic motivation it takes to rid themselves of the fear of standing up for what they believe in.

It is important for psychologists to closely examine the relationship between a powerful criterion of intrinsic motivation and individual self-advocacy. Many people do not realize the power of self-advocacy until they find themselves in a situation where the skills are necessary. When people are able to articulate their ideas in a formal setting they are better equipped to advocate for justice. People need to advocate so they convey their message in a positive way that does not create problems in the work environment.  Individuals must not be afraid to stand up for what they believe in otherwise they will not accomplish their goal or get anything done.   People must learn the skills of self-advocacy to be heard and taken seriously. Learning self-advocacy skills also develop self-determination skills, which could foster increased personal satisfaction and happiness. All students must learn through opportunities and experiences the importance of intrinsic motivation and self-advocacy as tools to use to their advantage in a work environment or life situation.