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
These are mental elements that stimulate an individual's desire for achievement or change. They include needs, desires, fears, ambitions etc., which drive behavior towards certain goals.
A motivational theory suggesting that humans act out of need; when we have unmet needs (like hunger), this creates discomfort, driving us to meet those needs.
"Psychological Factors in Motivation" also found in: