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Recommended books

Does anyone have any good book recommendations that goes deeper into motivational theories? TIA Blush
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  • This is not my area so cannot suggest any books, however, I would have thought there are a vast number of academic papers and articles for this topic.
  • I would recommend the chimp paradox, it can help understand what motivates people, sometimes they aren't even aware themselves, great for your own awareness and an awareness of others
  • Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships - Eric Berne
    - this one is written like an academic paper, but worth a read.

    Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behaviour (or, How to Understand Those Who Cannot Be Understood) - Thomas Erikson
    - based on the insights colours
  • In reply to Ryan:

    Thank you Ryan Blush
  • In reply to Emma:

    Thanks Emma Blush
  • I found 'Mixed Signals:How incentives really work' by Uri Gneezy a fascinating read. I was looking at it from an OD perspective in terms of motivating constructive behaviour at work. It covers why incentives don't always generate the outcomes we had hoped for and what research suggests could work better.
  • In reply to Harriet :

    Hi Kay

    Most standard university level psychology textbooks cover motivation, which is one of the most fundamental , complex and controversial topics of this discipline. There are very many theories and attempts to simplify it, but at best they only offer their own limited but sometimes useful perspectives on the complex whole and at worst they are of little or no use at all.

    I'd recommend at least starting with any good academic textbook - eg

    www.bps.org.uk/.../ultimate-psychology-reading-list