Explicit and Implicit Basic Human Motives, and Public Service Motivation.

Hendrik Slabbinck,Arjen Van Witteloostuijn

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01542

Hendrik Slabbinck, Arjen Van Witteloostuijn

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01542

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Abstract

This article contributes to the literature on the roots of Public Service Motivation (PSM) by turning to the psychological theory of basic human motives. The study explores the differential associations of explicit and implicit basic human motives with PSM, Attraction to Policy-Making (APM), Commitment to the Public Interest (CPI), Compassion (COM), and Self-Sacrifice (SS). Methodologically, the research contributes to the literature by introducing a measurement instrument new to Public Administration: the Brief Implicit Association Test (BIAT). The BIAT is an easy-to-use and flexible tool to probe into the human unconsciousness, offering ample opportunities for further research in Public Administration and Management.

Highlights

Research on Public Service Motivation (PSM) has grown exponentially in recent decades (Ritz et al, 2016; Christensen et al, 2017)
Relying on McClelland’s human motives theory, our study aims to assess if basic human explicit and implicit motives are related to PSM, and how explicit and implicit motives differ in their relation to PSM
As PSM is often considered as a multifacetted construct (Perry, 1996; Kim, 2011), with compassion, self-sacrifice, attraction to policy-making, and commitment to the public interest as its subdimensions, we investigate how explicit and implicit motives are connected to each of these facets of PSM

Summary

Introduction

Research on Public Service Motivation (PSM) has grown exponentially in recent decades (Ritz et al, 2016; Christensen et al, 2017). PSM relates to the beliefs, values and attitudes that go beyond selfinterest and organizational interest, reflecting someone’s willingness to help society and its citizens (Perry and Wise, 1990; Kim and Vandenabeele, 2010). Not surprisingly, given this definition, PSM is argued to be a driver to become a civil servant, and to subsequently flourish as a public sector employee (Vandenabeele, 2008; Christensen et al, 2017), but the concept certainly extends beyond public sector employees.

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