Definition of MotivationMotivation is defined as "some kind of internal drive which pushes someone to do things in order to achieve something" (Harmer, 2001:51).
As stated by Brown (1994:152), motivation is a term that is used to define the success or the failure of any complex task.
Steers and Porter (1991:6) deal with three matters while discussing motivation: what energizes human behavior, what directs or channels such behavior and
how this behavior is maintained or sustained.
Motivation is thought to be responsible for "why people decide to do something, how long they are willing to sustain the activity and how hard they are going to pursue it" (Dörnyei, 2001a:8).
Ryan and Deci (2000a:54) state that "to be motivated means to be moved to do something". Unlike unmotivated people who have lost impetus and inspiration to act, motivated people are energized and activated to the end of a task.
"Interest, curiosity, or a desire to achieve" (Williams and Burden, 1997:111) are the key factors that compose motivated people. However, they believe that arousing interest is not enough to be motivated. This interest should be sustained. In addition to this, time and energy should be invested and the effect which is required needs to be sustained so as to reach the aim. According to Steers and Porter (1991:6), motivation can be characterized as follows:
needs or expectations,
behavior,
goals, and
some form of feedback.
