In the ultimate tribute to a partner, Pedro Martin Ureta honored his deceased wife’s wishes and cultivated an immense tree garden into an aerial delight – a guitar. Shortly after marrying Mr. Ureta, Graciela Yraizoz saw a shape while flying over the pampa. That’s when she came up with the idea of creating a guitar. Mr. Ureta put her off. After she died suddenly in 1977, he began seriously thinking about the request. It took a lot of painstaking work, but the two-thirds mile-long creation is now a marvel for all to see as they fly over the area.

QUESTIONS:

1. In what ways does the work represent the basic elements in the textbook definition of motivation?
2. From the standpoint of needs, what level of motivation does this accomplishment represent?
3. Using Acquired Needs Theory, how would you classify Pedro Martin Ureta’s motivation?

SOURCE: M. Moffett, “Maybe Graciela Sees It From Heaven, This Huge Guitar Made of Trees,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703859304576307251804750800.html)