Organisational Behaviour

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The strength of a situation plays a role in shaping Marguerite’s motivation. In a strong situation, clear behavioural cues emphasize the importance of not committing Counter Productive Work Behaviours (CWB). Individuals share a common perception that their behaviours are evaluated and rewarded or punished on the basis of their compliance to group norms (Smithikrai, 2008). In Marguerite’s case the culture of the kitchen is submissive to her behaviour. If she does not comply, she will not be accepted.

The degree, to which Marguerite believes she is in control, is called Locus of Control (LOC). This theory suggests that individuals who believe they mostly control their life are high internals compared to Marguerite, who believes external influences control her life event, known as externals. Internal LOC’s can be associated with high job performance and motivation whereas external LOC’s are more compliant to authority, therefore could display poorer work performance, yet could be good team players (Kalliath, et al., 2014).

3.0 Personality and Motivation Analysis

For the purpose of this essay Marguerite’s personality was assessed based on a collection of questions raised in relation to specific primary factors of each of the Big Five personality traits (Appendices 8.2).

Figure 1.0 – Big Five Personality Test Results

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The attached results (Figure 1.0) show strong signs of agreeableness. She has a relatively high interest in people, she develops deep and close friendships, even more with those who she can trust.

She clearly sympathises with Hassan’s family upon meeting them and is not judgemental, “Bonjour” (The Hundred-Foot Journey 10:44). Her softer, humble side is portrayed through her gentle dealings; she displays little aggressiveness and an overall balanced persona. This is very unlike neurotic personality traits, where unpredictability and a lack of emotional stability are clearly noticeable.

For Marguerite it is not important to be the centre of attention, dissimilar to someone categorised with extraversion. She is content agreeing to others and is not having to seek excitement, portrayed by not having changed since Hassan’s return from Paris (1:44:29).

Given Hassan is new to the village and French culture she takes time out to show and explain to him how to fish and makes him feel at ease in his new environment (40:46). Marguerite disagrees with insulting or challenging the newly arrived Indian family, which ultimately is competition for the restaurant. She shows general concern for their wellbeing especially for Hassan (1:10:02).

Marguerite rates relatively high to openness, yet she shows few signs of wanting to explore undiscovered areas of her life or has the tendency to be creative, curious and artistically sensitive (Kalliath, et al., 2014).

Marguerite does demonstrate high levels of consciousness being reliable, responsible and dependable, yet in comparison to her pronounced traits of agreeableness, she portrays less competency and weaker goal getting aspirations compared to a strong tendency to help and look after others.

Motivation

Motivation defined by Greenberg and Baron, is Marguerite’s cognitive process that arouses, directs and maintains her behaviour towards attaining her unmet needs (Greenberg & Baron, 2003).

Marguerite’s motivational process, based Vroom’s Expectancy theory, is how she directs her energy, the intensity and persistence of her effort towards those needs.

Her noticeable behaviour rather than unobservable thoughts and emotions, according to Skinner who coined the term Operant Conditioning (Skinner, 1938), shows Marguerite highly motivated around Hassan, creating a halo effect (Thorndike, 1920).

Motivation - Process

Marguerite’s motivational process, is visible upon her recognising Hassan’s family in need of support, she helps to move the broken-down van and welcomes them into her home by serving dishes she made herself (E-P) (12:40). Following that, Marguerite receives affection from Hassan and his father, “this is very kind of you” (12:53), ‘died in heaven” (P-O) (14:04). She associates Hassan with her unmet needs of love and belongingness. Continuing throughout the film, she develops strong emotions for Hasan (V) visible through her physical arousal, her flushed face and the conscience decisions, matching her agreeable traits.

Consistent patterns of reinforcement determine the likelihood of Marguerite’s behaviour recurring or not (Kalliath, et al., 2014). There are four types of reinforcement to modify her behaviour.

One: Positive reinforcement

Two: Negative reinforcement

Three: Punishment

Four: Extinction

Positive Reinforcement

The positive environment created around Hassan (V), after Marguerite touches his face despite her shyness (E-P), leads then to the first romantic kiss (P-O). The indication of a strong situation, yet where she feels comfortable, causes her to be herself, speaking openly and giving him praise (1:44:10).

Negative Reinforcement

In comparison to, where Margarite is less motivated by Jean-Pierre and his intentions (V) of ridiculing the Indian family (P-O), she counter acts the environment and people she disagrees with, by secretly giving Hassan cooking books as a gift to further develop himself (E-P) (28:04). Her valence and affiliations to Hassan are strong, therefore her performance avoids Jean-Pierre’s actions and the environment associated with him.

Punishment

Initially Marguerite is happy to see Hassan (V), upon his arrival and comment “I need to talk to you about something important”, her direct response is “You are smart, you’ve been planning this?” (E-P) (1:10:17). This punishing enforcement suggests Hassan is possibly not interested in a relationship with her as well as she is going to have more competition within her work environment. Consequently, her personality is being challenged.

Extinction

When Marguerite is sitting on the bed, she has very little direction, as a consequence does very little towards improving her situation with Hassan (P-O), it seems, that her efforts (E-P) are not matched with the strong