Shenk states multiple times that in order for success to occur, motivation must be present; "ultra-achievers" (120) do not have things come easily to them but rather are "irrepressible and resilient" (120) in working towards those things that they want. If all humans are supposedly born able to "adopt a particular lifestyle of ambition" (120) given the right environmental factors and motivations, then how do these motivations become present in the minds of some, often children, but not in the minds of others? For example, why don’t all children of movie stars become successful movie stars themselves? Parallel to the example Shenk repeatedly provides of Mozart, these children would have been exposed to the environment of movies and fame from a young age. So why do only some develop this resilient quality? If someone is never presented with the correct environmental factors, does this mean that they will never able to gain this motivation to do certain things? Is it possible that there are certain genes that motivations "activate" and thus result in physiological changes in the brain in order to allow this person to develop this lifestyle and foster this motivation? Explain your answers in terms of evidence from the book as well as the ecology unit. Relate your response to the theme of structure and function.
Ethan Homedi (ethanhomedi@yahoo.com)
David Shenk cites that Yo-Yo Ma's, "early life contained all the known ingredients for the brewing of extraordinary achievement: an early and intensively conditioned musical brain, world-class training resources, and a desperate personal desire that researchers universally agree is the key to precocious success" (95). It is clear that motivation is essential to creating a successful individual in a particular field. However, many environmental factors go into promoting motivation.
ReplyDeleteImportant factors that go into motivating students are confidence, focus, and direction. Without these proper inputs, one cannot be motivated. (Launching Lives). Children of parents successful in a particular field are at an advantage over others. The factor of direction is already in place. For example, Mozart was born into a family of musicians. His family was well versed in how to succeed in that field. Shenk writes, “From the age of three, Wolfgang had an entire family driving him to excel with a powerful blend of instruction, encouragement, and constant practice”(63). Young Mozart was carefully led into the music field. Once he was shown the direction, the confidence and focus were important.
Next, focus in the particular field is important to ensure motivation. If one is continually switching between multiple fields, there is no drive nor time to succeed in one field. Again using Mozart, he had “a deep curiosity” (62) towards “playing music” (63). “He often sat beside his sister to watch her play” (62). From a young age, Mozart had a focus in a particular field that allowed him to excel.
Lastly, arguably the most important factor is confidence. Even with the right guidance, strong focus, without confidence in one’s abilities, one won’t be motivated. Mozart was regarded a child prodigy, “drawing good receipts and high praise from noble patrons” (63). Frey and Neckermann studied the importance of awards in a person’s life and concluded that Awards play a large role in any society because they cater to the substantial
human desire to be recognized by others and serve as direct motivators” (Frey, Neckermann).
If children aren’t successful in a field their parents excel in, then one of these factors weren’t met - direction, focus or confidence. So, that’s why we see some children of movie stars, athletes, musicians that are not as successful as their parents.
Motivation and genes go hand in hand. For example, if someone wants to achieve a certain goal, they will be motivated and work towards it. Through the work, their genes will slowly change their expression and aid in the process. An athlete for example wants to reduce his mile time to five minutes. His goal is set and he will begin to work towards it. As he exercises, his heart and calves will become strong - a result of change in gene expression. This change makes accomplishing his goal easier.
Animals, are exceptions to these factors of motivation. During the critical period, animals “learn certain behaviors during that limited developmental phase” (Campbell 1126). Animals have goals as well - to survive and reproduce. During this short phase, animals will learn the techniques and survival tips from their parents that they can build on in the future and change as needed. The motivation of the animal is to survive and reproduce and they will use all their skills to do so, just like humans.
http://www.rmm-journal.de/downloads/012_frey_neckermann.pdf
http://launchingliveswebsite.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/sources-of-motivation/
Rohan Dasika (rohandasika@gmail.com)
Ambition and motivation are key factors in success. Mozart, as illustrated in the book, “had an entire family driving him to excel with a powerful blend of instruction, encouragement, and constant practice” (Shenk 63). As Rohan also stated above, Yo Yo Ma’s "early life contained all the known ingredients for the brewing of extraordinary achievement: an early and intensively conditioned musical brain, world-class training resources, and a desperate personal desire that researchers universally agree is the key to precocious success" (95). Knowingly or not, as children, Mozart and Yo Yo Ma had the motivation to succeed. Both of them had parents who spurred them on and helped the children to the best of their ability. Children who are encouraged and thus given motivation end up more successful than children who are not encouraged. The encouragement can come later in life as well, as shown by the analysis of Michael Jordan. After not making the varsity basketball team, Jordan worked hard, focusing on getting better, until he became one of the best basketball players in history (Shenk 96).
ReplyDeleteHart and Risley conducted a study that eventually concluded that children who received more encouragements, who were found in professional homes, became more intelligent and had a lower crime rate than the children who did not receive encouragements, mostly found in welfare homes (47). Studies found that “During early years, children form attitudes about learning that will last a lifetime. Children who receive the right sort of support and encouragement during these years will be creative, adventurous learners throughout their lives. Children who do not receive this sort of support and interaction are likely to have a much different attitude about learning later in life” (http://www.nasponline.org/resources/home_school/earlychildmotiv_ho.aspx). In this way, the children of professionals have an advantage, because the encouragements Once again, as Rohan pointed out in his above response, awards play a large role in society and human behavior because of the human desire to be recognized and praised by others (http://www.rmm-journal.de/downloads/012_frey_neckermann.pdf). The encouragements and praise of the parent serve as the awards for the child, as they seek the approval and attention of the parent. During the sensitive period, “a limited developmental phase when certain behaviors can be learned” (Campbell 1126), the child learns the taste of accomplishment and praise. Since much of human behavior is fueled by self-interest, the child will continue to work hard in order to continue receiving this praise.
Next, the child must take an interest in something particular in order to excel in that particular field. It has been accepted for years that it takes 10,000 hours to become a master or expert in the field (http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/7706/how-to-become-an-expert/). If the child does not take a particular interest, then that child will not have the dedication and focus to become a master or expert in the subject. Mozart and Yo Yo Ma knew from the beginning that they wanted to play their respective instruments. Yo Yo Ma told his father without hesitation that he wanted to play the cello. Mozart had always been interested in music, watching his sister play day by day (62).
PART ONE
Annie Lee (xxannie.leexx@yahoo.com
Now, even if someone does not have that motivation as a child, they can grasp this ambition later, as an adolescent or an adult. Michael Jordan only became motivated as a junior (Shenk 96). Athletes generally reach their peak of motivation during their career as a fully functioning adult. Motivation is crucial for success, but it doesn’t matter when the motivation comes along, as long as they have the motivation. However, with this motivation, there must be proper training. Shenk stated that one can only become a success if one practices or trains properly. A soccer player who excels in running but is weak in dribbling must focus on getting better in running while improving dribbling ability, in order to lessen weaknesses and make strengths even stronger.
DeleteGene expression relies on the actions of the individual caused by the motivation. As the soccer player continues to practice, the body starts to change to adapt to the increase in physical demand on it. The player’s eye coordination will get better, the feet will become more nimble.
Similarly, animals are motivated to do certain actions. The animal learns behaviors during the sensitive period, and learns crucial behavior from its parent. The animals are motivated by an innate instinct to survive and reproduce, and adjust their behavior accordingly.
PART TWO
Annie Lee (xxannie.leexx@yahoo.com)
Rohan's explanation of motivation is completely accurate. Motivation, while basing on a necessity of promotion from external promoters, must also come from an internal drive to achieve. As previously mentioned, for Mozart “a deep curiosity” (Shenk 62) for “playing music” (Shenk 63) was already prevalent on top of the far superior upbringing that he received. Mozart was given “everything that Nannerl got – only much earlier and more intensively” from a music teacher that “was centuries ahead of his time” (Shenk 62). All of this readily available training was incredible. However, none of this would have mattered if not for the motivation already inside of Mozart. This natural inclination for a certain goal is greatest viewed in the motivation of inner city children to become great basketball or football or baseball players, great athletes in general. In the documentary Hoop Dreams, two young inner city boys are filmed throughout their high school lives regarding their intentions to play basketball in the National Basketball Association. The story juxtaposes two boys who travel out of their way to attend a school that they believe will help them achieve NBA greatness. Their stories are also compared to that of Isiah Thomas. Both boys are completely motivated because simply of their inner drive. Neither one was surrounded by the best of the best teaching them the sport, but both of them wanted to succeed. In refutation to Rohan’s point on confidence, one boy, Arthur lost all of it from being cut by the elite school. He lost all confidence in his abilities, yet the motivation was still there. He continued to play and practice because motivation came from inside. In response to the example of film actors’ children, it takes that same internal drive for the child of a famous actor or actress to succeed. While, all of the promoting factors are there, it takes more than that to become great.
ReplyDeleteThe most important part of motivation is inspiration. In parenting, coaching, and teaching, inspiring children to succeed is the greatest motivation that one can give them. In a report on motivating disadvantaged children, a teacher is promoted to tell children: “you can become anything you want to become. My job is to help you become it”(http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2c5f484a-8085-404a-b3ba-2a929fc2d756%40sessionmgr4&vid=6&hid=15). A facet of motivation is the knowledge that if you work hard enough, you can succeed. Earl Nightingale, author of “On Motivating the Disadvantaged Child” believes that something that is vastly important is “that we can achieve that which we want very much to achieve if we will se out hearts upon it, if we will pay the price in effort and time… until we can actually see it and feel it and live it” (http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2c5f484a-8085-404a-b3ba-2a929fc2d756%40sessionmgr4&vid=6&hid=15). All of these quotes and beliefs will help inspire children. Inspiration is the most important part to develop the resilient quality.
Animals other than humans also experience a certain motivation as well. Their motivation, however, is much more basic. The common animal motivation is to survive and reproduce. That is the motivation of all animals throughout all of their lives. For example, predators are motivated by effective hunting in order to feed themselves quicker and more efficiently. Animals follow the “optimal foraging model” which favors “minimize the costs of foraging and maximizes the benefits” (Campbell 1133). Animals are motivated by better likelihood of survival in their decisions in how to forage for food.