Motivation quilt: a dive to unravel threads of motivation and societal interpretation to understand its weight on learners A deep look into motivation, societal and cultural impacts and its influence on learners

Malaz Dhirar

Things are never what they appear, one shouldn’t judge anything at first glance. This naturally applies to motivation, the word itself brings up the drive behind actions, what makes people do something. However, it’s not the same for everyone. Motivation is shaped and influenced by a lot of factors. 

Different societies and cultures have their own impressions of motivation. For instance, achievement is regarded as an incentive for more success in western cultures but eastern cultures consider it a part of obligations and honoring family. Motivation is a deep concept which plays a part in many of life’s aspects and utilizing it well helps lead to success. 

The interplay between motivation and culture 

It may not always be apparent but every goal is backed up by motivation. Culture is part of what defines the goals a person believes to be worth pursuing. Motivation can vary among cultures, for instance a cultural emphasis on hard work can affect a person’s motivation. If a person’s motivation aligns with the cultural norms, they can find a sense of purpose, making their drive stronger.

Taking employees as an example, they deal with stress as a part of their job in general. But employee stress has been on the rise and that affects their performance. Not only can culture help with that, company culture has a vital role in shaping employee motivation. Leadership sets the tone of company culture, setting the tone and values that guide the behavior and attitude. An inclusive, positive culture gives employees a sense of belonging and purpose, increasing their productivity and bolstering their motivation. 

The link between motivation and education 

Motivation has a major influence on students, affecting their joy, effort and success. It helps center attention on tasks to let students finish them faster while resisting distractions. Motivation is vital in helping students master their subjects, increasing their engagement and performance (1). 

A structured class helps students thrive, for it offers a sense of security that allows them to focus on the learning process. Kind, positive teachers with many teaching methods also motivate students to work hard. Students with supportive parents who are genuinely interested in their progress are more driven to excel. Another factor to consider is lack of home security, for students with a stable home life perform better than those without (2)(3). 

Then of course there’s the learning environment, a positive, safe environment with healthy peer relationships can be very important in maintaining motivation. It can also help if students can relate subjects to real life. Students may also be motivated by a goal they want to reach and it spurs them onwards. Sometimes they may lose motivation due to setbacks but that can be remedied. One thing is for sure, motivation is an important part of the learning process. 

Motivation varies around the world but its essence is the same, the fuel to the flame that keeps people striving towards better things in life. Remember that motivation isn’t simply something to be taken for granted and finding the drive to any desired goal may be the first step on the ladder of success (6)(7).