Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Internal feelings refer to subjective experiences and emotions that occur within an individual, such as happiness, contentment, or fulfillment. These feelings are not observable by others but can strongly influence behavior.
This theory suggests that individuals are motivated when their behaviors align with their inner desires for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Hedonic Principle: The hedonic principle states that humans are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain in order to maximize their overall level of happiness.