3.2: Motivation Formula
Value
Expectation
| Course | Value (1-10) | Expectation for Success (1-10) | Motivation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 057 | 8 | 8 | 64 |
| COMM 101 | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| WEB 101 | 10 | 9 | 90 |
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The motivation formula Expectation X Value = Motivation , or E x V = M is an easy way to explore your motivation and also identify areas where you can raise your motivation.
For the value component of the formula, you are going to consider how important, or valuable, this goal is to you. For example if you were to consider the value of college, you might ask yourself why is college important to you? What benefits might you gain from your college education? When considering value, you want to consider both intrinsic value as well as extrinsic value . When something has intrinsic value it has personal value, or value unto itself. An example of intrinsic value would be the knowledge and learning you would obtain from completing your college degree. A task has extrinsic value when you are doing the task for a reward or to avoid a punishment. An example of extrinsic value would be obtaining a degree to secure a job that pays more or learning course material so you don’t fail the class.
For the expectation component of the formula, you will consider how likely you are to succeed in a particular task or goal. Expectations often are shaped by your past experiences of success or failure, emotions, observing others’ successes and failures and feedback from others 21 . For example, if you played basketball as a child and observed others as being better than you, repeatedly missed your shots and received negative feedback from your peers, you might have low expectations of being successful in sports. Likewise, if you found English class easy in high school and received positive feedback from your instructor and peers, you might have high expectations of your ability to write papers in college.
Here is an example on how the motivation formula E x V=M can be applied to your classes.
First, rate your value of the class on a scale of 1-10. Next, rate your expectations for success on a scale from 1-10. Finally multiply the value score by the expectations score to get your motivation score.
| Course | Value (1-10) | Expectation for Success (1-10) | Motivation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 057 | 8 | 8 | 64 |
| COMM 101 | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| WEB 101 | 10 | 9 | 90 |
In this example, the student has a high motivation score for their WEB 101 class because the class is very valuable for their career path, and the student is confident of being successful in the class. The student has a very low motivation score, however, for the COMM 101 class. This student finds this class only somewhat valuable and is not confident about success in the course.
21 Pajares, F., & Schunk, D. H. (2002). Self and self-belief in psychology and education: A historical perspective. In J. Aronson (Ed.), Improving academic achievement: Impact of psychological factors on education (p. 3–21). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012064455-1/50004-X .