The Scale of Motivationess: an Empirical Description of the Phenomenon and a Presentation of the Method

Abstract

The aim of the article consists in establishing empirical descriptors of the state of motivation.

Methods. The study was implemented according to the Nelson model, which provides for the possibility of determining the essence of the problem under the existing conditions. The empirical research used such methods as the motivation structure questionnaire, the existential feasibility scale of Lange and Orgler, the Schwartz motivational values questionnaire, the Luthans psychological capital method, the Riff psychological well-being questionnaire, the personality life tasks questionnaire (Laboratory of Social Psychology of the personality of Prof. Tytarenko), the questionnaire of Stepa’s reserve motivation, Stepa’s psychological resourcefulness questionnaire, meaningfulness of life method (an adaptation version of the Krumbo and Maholik questionnaire), Muddy’s hardiness questionnaire. The following methods of mathematical and statistical analysis were applied: multivariate, cluster, correlational, comparative, and classification analysis.

Research results. The following indicators of motivationess were determined: confidence in one’s capabilities, realistic goal formulation, a clearly defined sequence of actions, effective self-organization of time, understanding of the ratio of one’s strengths and difficulties, completing a task by applying one’s efforts, interest in the process of completing the task, desire to complete the task, inspiration from one’s own experience of success, the ability to draw analytical conclusions from one’s own experience of failures, resistance to stress during task performance, proactiveness in setting the task, the desire to receive and provide informative feedback during the execution and completion of the task, readiness to learn new knowledge and skills to perform the task, sense vocation for staging and completing the task. Cronbach alpha for statements of the Motivationess scale is within 0.91–0.92. The value of intercorrelations of motivationess indicators is 0.30–0.78 (p < .001). The classification analysis showed that low, medium, and high levels of motivationess were correctly determined by 90%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The structure of motivationess is two-factor, cumulative multi-factor analysis explained 59% of the variance of the data in the group. A higher level of motivationess is characterized by its procedural, dynamic indicators. The k-means method showed the correctness of distinguishing two types of motivationess - low and high; the type of motivationess is determined by its dynamic indicators.

Conclusions. Motivationess is characterized by us as a dynamic motivational state of existential discourse, which is actualized about a certain life task, is manifested in the ability of the individual to correlate his resources with the challenges of life conditions in a dialogic interaction, and is experienced by him as inspiration. The motivation scale received the necessary indicators of its reliability. The text of the Motivationess scale is included in the appendix to the article.