Motives

Definition

Motives refer to the internal needs, desires, and goals that drive our behavior. They can be conscious or unconscious and heavily influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Related terms

Instincts:

Instincts are innate, automatic patterns of behavior that are driven by biological factors. For example, the instinctual drive for survival leads us to seek food when hungry.

Drives:

Drives are psychological states of tension that arise from unmet needs or desires. They push us to take action in order to reduce the tension and satisfy those needs or desires.

Incentives:

Incentives are external stimuli or rewards that motivate behavior by satisfying our needs or desires. They can be positive (e.g., receiving a prize) or negative (e.g., avoiding punishment).