"What motivates a child?" Sample Survey

In Richard Lavoie’s 2007 book, The Motivation Breakthrough: 6 Secrets to Turning on the Tuned-Out Child, the assessment on p. 113-116, is provided to help gauge the motivation of the child in hopes that the teacher will use this information to better teach the child.

“The following informal assessment tool may be of assistance in determining the drives that motivate each child. This minisurvey could be given to all students at the beginning of the school year and could also be administered to any student who joins the class during the school year. Explain to the students that the survey is designed to help you get to know them better and to assist you as you design and plan your classes. Ask that they answer the questions thoughtfully and honestly, and assure them that there are no incorrect answers.”

From the list of 10 questions we have chosen 6 for you, the reader, to answer and find out what motivates you.

The instructions are to read the questions, circle 2 answers

1. If you did really well on your science project, what would you prefer the teacher to do?

1. Let you carry the project to the other classrooms and explain the project to the students
2. Put the project on display in the hallway
3. Give you a small prize
4. Write a note to your parents to tell them what a good job you did
   

4. You are on a roller coaster, and a photographer from a local newspaper takes you picture. The photo appears on the front page the next day. What do you do?
1. Carry the newspaper with you to show your friends and relatives
2. Frame the picture and hang it in your room
3. Hope that the photo wins a prize as “Picture of the Week”
4. Hang out by the newspapers at the local store and hope that someone recognizes you
   
   

5. What do you like best about your birthday?
1. Your family has a party for you, and all your relatives come
2. You are treated special that day and your mom makes your favorite meal
3. You get presents
4. Everyone tells you that you are growing up and maturing
   
   

8. Think about the teacher you liked the most out of all the teachers you’ve ever had. What did he or she do whenever you did an outstanding job on a project or assignment?
1. Let you sit with and work with your friends
2. Gave you certificates and awards
3. Gave you a prize
4. Gave you lots of compliments
   
   

9. Think of your favorite grandparent, aunt, or uncle. What is it that you like most about him or her?
1. He or she is fun to be with
2. He or she is proud of you and talks about you
3. He or she gives you gifts
4. He or she is very interested in you and listens to you
   
   

10. If you were a teacher, how would you reward a student who did a great job on an assignment?
1. Have lunch with the student
2. Have a “Student of the Day” award
3. Give the student a small present
4. Give the student a note congratulating him

ANALYSIS OF ASSESSMENT

Record the number of a, b, c, and d responses, and analyze the results.

If there are a lot of a responses, the child is motivated by people.

If there are a lot of b responses, the child is motivated by prestige, power and praise.

If there are a lot of c responses, the child is motivated by prizes and prestige.

If there are a lot of d responses, the child is motivated by people, prestige and praise.

“It is futile to attempt to motivate a disparate group of youngsters by using a single general approach or method. If the child cannot learn the way that we teach, we must teach the way that he learns” (Lavoie, 2007, p. 116).

Source: Lavoie, R. (2007). The Motivation Breakthrough: six secrets to turning on the tuned out child. New York, NY: Touchstone.