Motivation: Theories, Examples, Types, and How to Find It

The term "motivation" describes the reason why a person takes action. It serves as the driving force behind human behavior. Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and sustains goal-directed actions.

For example, motivation is what propels you to shed those extra pounds or to strive for that coveted promotion at work. In essence, motivation prompts you to act in a manner that brings you closer to achieving your objectives. The concept of motivation encompasses the biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate human behavior.

Motivation also involves factors that direct and maintain goal-directed actions. However, these motives are often not directly observable. Therefore, we must frequently infer the reasons behind people's actions based on their observable behavior.

Discover the various types of motivation that exist and how we utilize them in our everyday lives. And if you feel like you have lost your motivation, don't worry. We also provide some strategies for cultivating or improving your levels of self-motivation.

There are two primary types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic motivation originates from sources external to the individual and typically involves tangible rewards, such as money, trophies, social status, or praise.

On the other hand, intrinsic motivation is internal and arises from within the individual, often driven by personal enjoyment or satisfaction. For instance, working on a complex crossword puzzle simply for the sake of solving a challenging problem.

A Third Type of Motivation?

There is evidence to suggest that there may be a third type of motivation known as family motivation. This form of motivation arises when an individual is not intrinsically motivated to perform a task, but is instead driven by a desire to support their family financially, for example, going to work despite lacking internal motivation.

Why Motivation Is Important

Motivation serves as a crucial guiding force for all human behavior. Therefore, comprehending how motivation operates and the elements that may influence it can be significant for a variety of reasons.

Understanding motivation can:

• Enhance your efficiency as you strive towards achieving your objectives
• Encourage you to take action
• Motivate you to adopt healthier habits and behaviors
• Enable you to steer clear of harmful or maladaptive behaviors, such as addiction and risk-taking
• Empower you to feel more in charge of your life
• Boost your overall sense of well-being and happiness.

Tips for Improving Your Motivation

If you have ever set a goal for yourself, such as losing 20 pounds or completing a marathon, you likely know that merely desiring to achieve such objectives is not sufficient. You also need the ability to persist through obstacles and have the endurance to keep going despite any difficulties that may arise.

These various elements or components are necessary for becoming and remaining motivated. Researchers have identified three major components of motivation: activation, persistence, and intensity.

1. Activation involves making the decision to initiate a particular behavior. For instance, enrolling in psychology courses in order to earn your degree is an example of activation.
2. Persistence refers to the continued effort towards a goal, even in the face of obstacles. For example, showing up for your psychology class even when you are feeling tired from staying up late the night before is an example of persistence.
3. Intensity is the level of concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal. For instance, one student may exert minimal effort (minimal intensity) while another student may study regularly, actively participate in classroom discussions, and take advantage of research opportunities outside of class (greater intensity).

Causes of Low Motivation

As you work towards achieving your goals, there are some factors that may hinder or negatively impact your motivation levels. Here are a few things to look out for:

1. All-or-nothing thinking: If you believe that you must be perfect in order to achieve your goal, one minor setback may completely deflate your motivation to keep moving forward.
2. Believing in quick fixes: It's easy to feel demotivated if you don't see immediate results. However, achieving your goals often requires time and persistence.
3. Thinking that one size fits all: Just because a particular approach or method worked for someone else does not mean it will work for you. If you're struggling to stay motivated, try exploring alternative approaches that may be better suited to your needs.

Motivation and Mental Health

In some cases, a persistent lack of motivation may be linked to a mental health issue such as depression. If you are experiencing symptoms of apathy and low mood that persist for more than two weeks, it's important to speak with your doctor. Seeking professional help can be a crucial step in addressing underlying mental health concerns that may be affecting your motivation levels.

Theories of Motivation

Psychologists have proposed various theories to explain what motivates human behavior. Some of the major theories of motivation include:

Instincts

The instinct theory of motivation suggests that behaviors are motivated by instincts, which are fixed and inborn patterns of behavior. William James, Sigmund Freud, and William McDougal have proposed several basic human drives that motivate behavior, such as fear, cleanliness, and love.

Drives and Needs

Many behaviors such as eating, drinking, and sleeping are motivated by biology. We have a biological need for food, water, and sleep, and therefore, we are motivated to fulfill these needs. The drive reduction theory of motivation suggests that people have these basic biological drives, and our behaviors are motivated by the need to fulfill them. Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is another motivation theory based on a desire to fulfill basic physiological needs, followed by safety and security, social needs, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

Arousal Levels

The arousal theory of motivation suggests that people are motivated to engage in behaviors that help them maintain their optimal level of arousal. People with low arousal needs might pursue relaxing activities such as reading a book, while those with high arousal needs might be motivated to engage in exciting, thrill-seeking behaviors such as motorcycle racing.

A Word From Verywell

Comprehending motivation is crucial not only in psychology but also in various aspects of life, including parenting and the workplace. To enhance one's motivation and that of others, one may aim to establish appropriate goals and reward systems.

Understanding motivating factors and their manipulation is widely used in marketing and other areas of industrial psychology. There are many misconceptions in this area, and it is beneficial for everyone to know what is effective in motivating people and what is not.