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The term motivation describeswhya person does something. It is the driving force behind human actions.Motivationis the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.

For instance, motivation is what helps you lose extra weight, or pushes you to get that promotion at work. In short, motivation causes you to act in a way that gets you closer to your goals. Motivation includes thebiological,emotional,social, andcognitiveforces that activate human behavior.

Motivation also involves factors that direct and maintain goal-directed actions. Although, such motives are rarely directly observable. As a result, we must often infer the reasons why people do the things that they do based on observable behaviors.

Learn the types of motivation that exist and how we use them in our everyday lives. And if it feels like you’ve lost your motivation, do not worry. There are many ways to develop or improve your self-motivation levels.

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What Are the Types of Motivation?

The two main types of motivation are frequently described as being either extrinsic or intrinsic.

A Third Type of Motivation?Some research suggests that there is a third type of motivation: family motivation.An example of this type is going to work when you are not motivated to do so internally (no intrinsic motivation), but because it is a means to support your family financially.

A Third Type of Motivation?

Some research suggests that there is a third type of motivation: family motivation.An example of this type is going to work when you are not motivated to do so internally (no intrinsic motivation), but because it is a means to support your family financially.

‘Doing What You Love’: The Battle of Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation

Why Motivation Is Important

Motivation serves as a guiding force for all human behavior. So, understanding how motivation works and the factors that may impact it can be important for several reasons.

Understanding motivation can:

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What Are the 3 Components of Motivation?

If you’ve ever had a goal (like wanting to lose 20 pounds or run a marathon), you probably already know that simply having the desire to accomplish these things is not enough. You must also be able to persist through obstacles and have the endurance to keep going in spite of difficulties faced.

These different elements or components are needed to get and stay motivated. Researchers have identified three major components of motivation: activation, persistence, and intensity.

The degree of each of these components of motivation can impact whether you achieve your goal. Strong activation, for example, means that you are more likely to start pursuing a goal. Persistence and intensity will determine if you keep working toward that goal and how much effort you devote to reaching it.

Tips for Improving Your Motivation

All people experience fluctuations in their motivation andwillpower. Sometimes you feel fired up and highly driven to reach your goals. Other times, you might feel listless or unsure of what you want or how to achieve it.

If you’re feeling low on motivation, there are steps you can take to help increase your drive. Some things you can do to develop or improve your motivation include:

What to Do When You Have No Motivation

Causes of Low Motivation

There are a few things you should watch for that might hurt or inhibit your motivation levels. These include:

Motivation and Mental HealthSometimes a persistent lack of motivation is tied to a mental health condition such asdepression. Talk to your doctor if you are feeling symptoms ofapathyand low mood that last longer than two weeks.

Motivation and Mental Health

Sometimes a persistent lack of motivation is tied to a mental health condition such asdepression. Talk to your doctor if you are feeling symptoms ofapathyand low mood that last longer than two weeks.

Theories of Motivation

Throughout history, psychologists have proposed different theories to explain what motivates human behavior. The following are some of the major theories of motivation.

Instincts

Drives and Needs

Abraham Maslow’shierarchy of needsis another motivation theory based on a desire to fulfill basic physiological needs. Once those needs are met, it expands to our other needs, such as those related to safety and security, social needs, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

Arousal Levels

Thearousal theory of motivationsuggests that people are motivated to engage in behaviors that help them maintain their optimal level of arousal.A person 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.

The Bottom LinePsychologists have proposed many differenttheories of motivation. The reality is that there are numerous different forces that guide and direct our motivations.

The Bottom Line

Psychologists have proposed many differenttheories of motivation. The reality is that there are numerous different forces that guide and direct our motivations.

Understanding motivation is important in many areas of life beyond psychology, from parenting to the workplace. You may want to set the best goals and establish the right reward systems to motivate others as well as toincrease your own motivation.

Knowledge of motivating factors (and how to manipulate them) is used in marketing and other aspects of industrial psychology. It’s an area where there are many myths, and everyone can benefit from knowing what works with motivation and what doesn’t.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nevid JS.Psychology: Concepts and Applications.Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231Menges JI, Tussing DV, Wihler A, Grant AM.When job performance is all relative: How family motivation energizes effort and compensates for intrinsic motivation.Acad Managem J. 2016;60(2):695-719. doi:10.5465/amj.2014.0898Hockenbury DH, Hockenbury SE.Discovering Psychology.Zhou Y, Siu AF.Motivational intensity modulates the effects of positive emotions on set shifting after controlling physiological arousal.Scand J Psychol. 2015;56(6):613-21. doi:10.1111/sjop.12247Mystkowska-Wiertelak A, Pawlak M.Designing a tool for measuring the interrelationships between L2 WTC, confidence, beliefs, motivation, and context.Classroom-Oriented Research. 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30373-4_2Myers DG.Exploring Social Psychology.Siegling AB, Petrides KV.Drive: Theory and construct validation.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0157295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157295Additional ReadingNevid JS.Psychology: Concepts and Applications.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nevid JS.Psychology: Concepts and Applications.Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231Menges JI, Tussing DV, Wihler A, Grant AM.When job performance is all relative: How family motivation energizes effort and compensates for intrinsic motivation.Acad Managem J. 2016;60(2):695-719. doi:10.5465/amj.2014.0898Hockenbury DH, Hockenbury SE.Discovering Psychology.Zhou Y, Siu AF.Motivational intensity modulates the effects of positive emotions on set shifting after controlling physiological arousal.Scand J Psychol. 2015;56(6):613-21. doi:10.1111/sjop.12247Mystkowska-Wiertelak A, Pawlak M.Designing a tool for measuring the interrelationships between L2 WTC, confidence, beliefs, motivation, and context.Classroom-Oriented Research. 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30373-4_2Myers DG.Exploring Social Psychology.Siegling AB, Petrides KV.Drive: Theory and construct validation.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0157295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157295Additional ReadingNevid JS.Psychology: Concepts and Applications.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Nevid JS.Psychology: Concepts and Applications.Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231Menges JI, Tussing DV, Wihler A, Grant AM.When job performance is all relative: How family motivation energizes effort and compensates for intrinsic motivation.Acad Managem J. 2016;60(2):695-719. doi:10.5465/amj.2014.0898Hockenbury DH, Hockenbury SE.Discovering Psychology.Zhou Y, Siu AF.Motivational intensity modulates the effects of positive emotions on set shifting after controlling physiological arousal.Scand J Psychol. 2015;56(6):613-21. doi:10.1111/sjop.12247Mystkowska-Wiertelak A, Pawlak M.Designing a tool for measuring the interrelationships between L2 WTC, confidence, beliefs, motivation, and context.Classroom-Oriented Research. 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30373-4_2Myers DG.Exploring Social Psychology.Siegling AB, Petrides KV.Drive: Theory and construct validation.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0157295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157295

Nevid JS.Psychology: Concepts and Applications.

Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231

Menges JI, Tussing DV, Wihler A, Grant AM.When job performance is all relative: How family motivation energizes effort and compensates for intrinsic motivation.Acad Managem J. 2016;60(2):695-719. doi:10.5465/amj.2014.0898

Hockenbury DH, Hockenbury SE.Discovering Psychology.

Zhou Y, Siu AF.Motivational intensity modulates the effects of positive emotions on set shifting after controlling physiological arousal.Scand J Psychol. 2015;56(6):613-21. doi:10.1111/sjop.12247

Mystkowska-Wiertelak A, Pawlak M.Designing a tool for measuring the interrelationships between L2 WTC, confidence, beliefs, motivation, and context.Classroom-Oriented Research. 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30373-4_2

Myers DG.Exploring Social Psychology.

Siegling AB, Petrides KV.Drive: Theory and construct validation.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0157295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157295

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