Motivation and Mindset
What this domain tests
The exam tests motivation theories and the mindset that sustains enterprise: achievement need, resilience, self-efficacy, locus of control and attitudes to risk and failure.
Core rules
- Maslow's hierarchy moves from physiological and safety needs through belonging and esteem to self-actualisation; lower needs generally dominate until satisfied.
- McClelland's need for achievement (nAch) explains preference for moderately challenging tasks with personal responsibility and clear feedback.
- Herzberg separates hygiene factors such as pay and conditions from motivators such as achievement, recognition, responsibility and growth.
- Vroom's expectancy theory: motivation = expectancy × instrumentality × valence.
- Entrepreneurial mindset includes growth orientation, opportunity focus, tolerance of ambiguity, learning from failure and internal locus of control.
Worked example
A student can enter a low-risk local quiz or a district business-pitch contest with a 50% chance. High nAch predicts the pitch contest, because success depends on effort and gives feedback; a low-nAch student may choose the easy quiz to avoid failure. Reasoning: nAch is about task choice, not general intelligence.
Traps
Do not say Maslow's levels are rigid steps. Do not equate nAch with need for power. Do not claim entrepreneurs are reckless; moderate risk is typical. Hygiene factors do not create lasting motivation by themselves.