MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS LEADING TO GUIDANCE

1. What is guidance ?

“Guidance is the process of helping individuals discover and develop their

educational, vocational, and psychological potentialities and thereby to achieve
an optimal level of personal happiness and social usefulness.”

2. What is motivation ?

Motivation is the word derived from the word ’motive’ which means needs,
desires, wants or drives within the individuals.

“ It is the process of stimulating people to actions to accomplish the goals.”

INTRODUCTION:
Motive is necessary for doing all works by human, and none of human's voluntary
activities isn't done without motive, the most important condition for learning.
Having an interest in learning is a product of some factors which relates to
student's personality and ability, tasks characteristics, and other environmental
factors.
 In terms of academic achievement motive of guidance school students,
identifying many factors such as:

 Personality And Personal

 Familial
 Academicals And Social Factors

FACTORS LEADING TO GUIDANCE

i. Individual differences

ii. Problem of adjustment

iii. Multiplication of choices

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
What is individual differences ?

Dissimilarity is principle of nature. No two persons are alike. All the individuals
differ from each other in many a respects. Children born of the same parents and
even the-twins are not alike. This differential psychology is linked with the study
of individual differences.

This change is seen in physical forms like in height, weight, colour, complexion
strength etc., difference in intelligence, achievement, interest, attitude, aptitude,
learning habits, motor abilities, skill. Each man has an intellectual capacity
through which he gains experience and learning.

Every person has the emotions of love, anger, fear and feelings of pleasure and
pain. Every man has the need of independence, success and need for acceptance.

Broadly individual difference may be classified into two categories such as :

 Inherited Traits
 Acquired Traits
Causes of Individual Differences:

There are various causes which are responsible in bringing individual differences.

They are narrated below:

i. Heredity:

Some heretical traits bring a change from one individual to other. An individual’s
height, size, shape and color of hair, shape of face, nose, hands and legs so to say
the entire structure of the body is determined by his heretical qualities.
Intellectual differences are also to a great extent influenced by hereditary factor.

ii. Environment:

Environment brings individual differences in behaviour, activities, attitude, and

style of life characteristics. Personality etc. Environment does not refer only
physical surroundings but also it refers the different types of people, society, their
culture, customs, traditions, social heritage, ideas and ideals.

iii. Race and Nationality:

Race and Nationality is one cause of individual difference. Indians are very peace
loving, Chinese are cruel; Americans are very frank due to race and nationality.

iv. Sex:

Due to sex variation one individual differs from other. Men are strong in mental
power. On the other hand women on the average show small superiority over
men in memory, language and aesthetic sense. Women excel the men in
shouldering social responsibilities and have a better control over their emotions.

v. Age:

Age is another factor which is responsible in bringing individual differences.

Learning ability and adjustment capacity naturally grow with age. When one
grows in age can acquire better control over our emotions and better social
responsibilities. When a child grows then this maturity and development goes
side by side.

vi. Education:

Education is one major factor which brings individual differences. There is a wide
gap in the behaviors of educated and uneducated persons. All traits of human
beings like social, emotional and intellectual are controlled and modifies through
proper education.

This education brings a change in our attitude, behaviour, appreciations,

Personality. It is seen that uneducated persons are guided by their instinct and
emotions where as the educated persons are guided by their reasoning power.

Educational Implications of Individual Differences:

i. Aims of education, curriculum, method of teaching should be linked with

individual differences considering the different abilities and traits individual.

ii. Curriculum should be designed as per the interest, abilities and needs of
different students.

iii. The teacher has to adopt different types of methods of teaching considering
individual difference related to interest, need, etc.

iv. Some co-curricular activities such as Drama, music, literary activities (Essay &
Debate Competition) should be assigned to children according to their interest.

v. Teacher uses certain specific teaching aids which will attract the children
towards teaching considering their interest and need.

vi. Various methods such as playing method, project method, Montessori method,
story telling methods are to be used considering/discovering how different
children respond to a task or a problem.
vii. The division of pupils into classes should not be based only on the mental age
or chronological age of children but the physical, social and emotional maturity
should be given due consideration.

viii. In case of vocational guidance the counselor is to plan the guidance technique
keeping in view the needs and requirements of the students.

PROBLEM OF ADJUSTMENT
What is problem?

A distinction can be made between “task” and “problem.” Generally, a task is a

well-defined piece of work that is usually imposed by another person and may be
burdensome.

A problem is generally considered to be a task, a situation, or person which is

difficult to deal with or control due to complexity and in transparency. In
everyday language, a problem is a question proposed for solution, a matter
stated for examination or proof. In each case, a problem is considered to be a
matter which is difficult to solve or settle, a doubtful case, or a complex task
involving doubt and uncertainty.

What is adjustment?

The dictionary meaning of the word “adjustment” is, to fit, make suitable, adapt,
arrange, modify, harmonize or make correspondent.

Thus adjustment between two things means modify one or both of them to
correspond to each other. For example: wearing of cloth according to the season. 
As we can’t change the season so we have to modify our cloths.

The struggle between the needs of the individual and external forces is a
continuous struggle since time immortal.

According to the Darwin (1958) theory of evolution, those species which adapted
successfully to the demands of living, survived and multiplied while others who
did not, died out. Therefore adaptation or change in oneself according to the
external environment is a basic need for survival.
However the concept of adjustment is not as simple as adaptation. Psychologist
and scholars differ considerably in interpreting its meaning and nature.

“Adjustment” can be defined as , a process of altering one's behavior to reach a

harmonious relationship with their environment. This is typically a response
brought about by some type of change that has taken place. The stress of this
change causes one to try to reach a new type of balance or homeostasis between
the individual (both inwardly and outwardly), and with their environment.

WHAT IS PROBLEM OF ADJUSTMENT?

“Since the moment we are born, humans are in a constant state of

adjustment.  Adjustment refers to the: behavioral process of
balancing conflicting needs, or needs challenged by obstacles in the
environment. Humans and animals regularly adjust to their
environment. For example, when they are stimulated by their
physiological state to seek food, they eat (if possible) to reduce their
hunger and thus adjust to the hunger stimulus. 

Problem of Adjustment occurs when there is an inability to make a

normal adjustment to some need or stress in the environment. Those
who are unable to adjust well are more likely to have clinical anxiety
or depression, as well as experience feelings of hopelessness, difficulty
concentrating, sleeping problems and reckless behavior. “

SIGNS OF PROBLEM OF ADJUSTMENT:

 Enduring anxiety all the time
 Prolonged negativism of the mood
 Distractibility and loss of focus
 Inability to enjoy the change
  Worrying about the consequences
 Persistent worry over the months
 Nothing seems to liven the mood
 Wishing this hadn’t happened
 Regretting one’s own choices

“A STUDY ABOUT PROBLEM OF ADJUSTMENT ”

Bullying victimization uniquely contributes to adjustment

problems in young children: A nationally representative
cohort study
Louise Arseneault, Elizabeth Walsh, Kali Trzesniewski, Rhiannon Newcombe,
Avshalom Caspi, Terrie E Moffitt

Pediatrics 118 (1), 130-138, 2006

OBJECTIVE:
It has been shown that bullying victimization is associated with behaviour and
school adjustment problems, but it remains unclear whether the experience of
bullying uniquely contributes to those problems after taking into account pre-
existing adjustment problems.

METHODS:
We examined bullying in the Environmental Risk Study, a nationally
representative 1994–1995 birth cohort of 2232 children. We identified children
who experienced bullying between the ages of 5 and 7 years either as pure
victims or bully/victims. We collected reports from mothers and teachers about
children’s behavior problems and school adjustment when they were 5 years old
and again when they were age 7.

RESULTS:
Compared with control children, pure victims showed more internalizing
problems and unhappiness at school when they were 5 and 7 years. Girls who
were pure victims also showed more externalizing problems than controls.
Compared with controls and pure victims, bully/victims showed more
internalizing problems, more externalizing problems, and fewer prosocial
behaviours when they were 5 and 7 years. They also were less happy at school
compared with control children at 7 years of age. Pure victims and bully/victims
showed more behaviour and school adjustment problems at 7 years of age, even
after controlling for pre-existing adjustment problems at 5 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS:
Being the victim of a bully during the first years of schooling contributes to
maladjustment in young children. Prevention and intervention programs aimed at
reducing mental health problems during childhood should target bullying as an
important risk factor.)

Understanding adjustment disorders

Adjustment disorders are a group of conditions that can occur when you have
difficulty coping with a stressful life event. These can include the death of a loved
one, relationship issues, or being fired from work. While everyone encounters
stress, some people have trouble handling certain stressors. Adjustment disorders
can affect both adults and children.

Types of adjustment disorder

Following are the six types of adjustment disorder and their symptoms:

1. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

People diagnosed with this type of adjustment disorder tend to experience

feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It’s also associated with crying. You may
also find that you no longer enjoy activities that you did formerly.
 2. Adjustment disorder with anxiety

Symptoms associated with adjustment disorder with anxiety include feeling

overwhelmed, anxious, and worried. People with this disorder may also have
problems with concentration and memory.

For children, this diagnosis is usually associated with separation anxiety from
parents and loved ones.

3. Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed

mood

People with this kind of adjustment disorder experience both depression and
anxiety.

4. Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct

Symptoms of this type of adjustment disorder mainly involve behavioral issues

like driving recklessly or starting fights.

Teens with this disorder may steal or vandalize property. They might also start
missing school.

5. Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of

emotions and conduct

Symptoms linked to this type of adjustment disorder include depression, anxiety,

and behavioral problems.
 6. Adjustment disorder unspecified

Those diagnosed with adjustment disorder unspecified have symptoms that

aren’t associated with the other types of adjustment disorder. These often
include physical symptoms or problems with friends, family, work, or school.

Causes of adjustment disorders

A variety of stressful events can cause an adjustment disorder. Some common
causes in adults include:

 death of a family member or friend

 relationship issues or divorce
 major life changes
 illness or a health issue (in you or someone you’re close with)
 moving to a new house or place
 sudden disasters
 money troubles or fears

Typical causes in children and teenagers include:

 family fights or problems

 problems in school
 anxiety over sexuality

MULTIPLICATION OF CHOICES
Career guidance consists of services that help people successfully manage
their career development. Career development, an aspect of human
development, is the process through which an individual's work identity emerges.
Although it will occur on its own as you mature, you may benefit from getting
assistance as you navigate through this process, which can be quite confusing at
times.

Many people seek out assistance from career development professionals only

when they are trying to choose a career for the first time, or perhaps when they
are going through a transition. The intent of career guidance, however, is to
provide support to individuals throughout their entire lives. Let's take a look at
when, during your career, you should get help.

Get Help When You Are Choosing a Career

Far too many people are dissatisfied with what they do for a living. Why is that?
They make mistakes when choosing a career and end up in an occupation that
isn't a good fit. That's not surprising since going through the career planning
process, including the four steps one should take when choosing a career, is
difficult. It may seem like it would just be easier to pick an occupation out of a
hat.

While making a random choice may be simpler, it is certainly not wise. Given the
amount of time you spend at work, you should do everything possible to make a
well-informed decision. Getting help from a professional who provides career
guidance can be the difference between ending up in a satisfying career or one
that makes you miserable.

A career development professional, such as a career counselor, may use self-

assessment instruments to help you learn about your interests, values, skills, and
personality type. After coming up with a list of occupations that seem suitable for
you based on the results, he or she can show you how to explore them and then
weed out the ones that are not as good a fit as others. Then, the counselor can
help you create a career action plan that will allow you to pursue the occupation
you chose.
CHOICE OF PROFESSION 
The choice of profession used to be defined early on in people's lives. Once a
choice was made, people usually stuck to this profession for their entire lives.
Nowadays there is an abundance of choices and it is very common to switch
professions. If you are not satisfied with your job, you can now decide to do
something entirely different without raising eyebrows.

CAREER CHOICE
When choosing a certain profession or making a career switch, it is important to
carefully find out what your interests and ambitions are. You can do this by means
of a career aptitude test. Such a test gives you a clear insight in your talents and
interests. It also tells you in which area of expertise you will probably find a
profession suitable for you.

Which Factors Influence A Career Choice??

When we start thinking about our future profession and career choice, we think
about several factors. The most important things are job description, required
skills and education, salary, career outlook. But there are many other meaningful
factors that can influence someone’s career choice.

1. MAIN INFLUENCING FACTORS

There so many factors which influence the future career choice and have the
effect on different levels. Let’s talk about the most important factors.

2. DIFFERENT LIFE ROLES

Every person plays different roles in his or her life. He is a worker at work, a
parent, husband or wife at home. And every person thinks about himself in these
different roles and decides which role will be the most important for him. And this
decision may influence the career choice and the way the person looks at his
work.  

3. PERSONALITY AND INTERESTS

We are all different. We have different tastes, preferences, and tempers. And
someone’s success at the particular job position depends on these things. There is
a special theory which is called Holland Occupational Themes which can answer
how the personality of the work =seeker influence on his choice, his work
ambitions and abilities.

4. PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE

If someone has a positive role model in a particular career or positive work
experience it will definitely influence the future work choice.  The research has
shown that a person prefers to continue the work in which he was more
successful rather than start doing something new. In fact, it is a great idea to
focus on the work with proven success as well as with positive self-esteem for
most of us.

5. CULTURAL BACKGROUND

The cultural background of the person as well as his regional area and ethnic
group can influence the future work choice. Besides family of the job seeker and
local community also can become the factors which can determine someone’s
future career. Person’s expectations and life values are always shaped according
to the cultural issues, and they have connections with different parts of our
lives. Understanding of the nature of our expectations and values can help us to
understand our personality and make a right career choice.  

6. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF LIFE

Our life benchmarks and career choices always lie in the context of the economic
and social issues. And it is natural. Sometimes we can’t choose the society in
which we have to live, but we can choose the way of life. Different situations and
conditions which take place in our economic and social lives give us a definite
choice and have a certain effect on it. And we have to take into account this
factor.

7. THE FINANCIAL ASPECT

For many of us, money which we can earn is the most important factor which
influences on the future career choice. This is not surprising. We have to pay for
everything that we have in our lives. But everyone has different needs and ways
of life that’s why think twice when considering the job which will not allow living
as you like and make a correct and reasonable choice.

8. FIND YOUR BEST CAREER

Along with pragmatic factors, there are issues which can influence someone’s
future work choice. And they lie in the non-material plane. It’s important to
choose the career which will bring pleasure. Find your career passion and the
work will always be a joy. You have to choose something passionately for you.
Find out what can inspire you and follow your inspiration. Answer the simple
question “do you really want this career?”. If you are confused with your choice,
just take some break and clarify your thoughts.

9. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR HOBBY YOUR WORK

You have to make a decision what purposes do you have right now. And what do
you want to get from your work? What are the reasons in favor of some particular
career? Do you want to earn money or you want to develop your talents? It’s
great if you have an opportunity to choose the career which is related to your
hobby or interests.
Usually, if you pick the work according to your interests, salary is not the most
important motivation for you. But there are examples when someone’s hobby
turned into a fortune. For example, if you like to write essays, some day you can
become a professional writer. You never know what awaits you so do not give up
its interests.

So choosing the future career is perhaps the most important decision in our lives.
That’s why we have to think well and weigh all the pros and cons. We have to
take into account such important factors as:

 Education;
 Financial aspects;
 Work experience;
 Our personality and interests;
 Economic and social conditions of life.

Only a well-considered and balanced decision can make our lives better. And if
you have already chosen your future career and want to apply you can get
professional help with your CV and cover letter.