Question

Describe how someone who is mandated psychological services, may act differently than someone who receives voluntary psychological services. Discuss the role of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

Answer 1

Motivation refers to factors that activate , direct and sustain goal directed behaviour. There are two types of motivation. They are intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is one which we are motivated to perform a task for getting reward or avoid punishment. These are useful in acquiring new skills or knowledge. Intrinsic motivation is one which comes from within the individual. It is the reason for peoples actions , desires and needs.

A person doing psychological services should have qualities such as empathy, problem solving ability, passion for learning , patience and trustworthyness. A psychologist who is intrinsically motivated or doing voluntary psychological service gives a sense of progress when he see that his work is accomplishing something positive or more skilled at a task. He will be very much creative and bring novel ideas while dealing with the people who need help. He will try to develop and learn new skills and will manage his time effectively. He will be very much satisfied in his work so he will use all his personal resources to help the clients. On the other hand one who is extrinsically motivated will consider the psycholocial service as mandatory. Although he will be efficient in problem solving skills and acquiring new skills and feel less satisfied about his job, when compared to a volunteering person. He will lack patience in most of his activities. In most occassions he may feel his job as emotionally draining and all his activities will be focused on the rewards that he is going receive. He will be less efficient in managing his time.