Motivation

Motivation is the urge to behave to satisfy conditions, including wishes, aims, and goals. An individual is motivated to perform in a certain way to get what they want in the form of goals, aims, or even wishes. There are two significant ways by which one classifies motivation. Either by differentiating between drives and motives or by intrinsic or extrinsic motivation. This blog will discuss motivation, the difference between drive and motivation, the types of motivation, and even the difference between motivation and emotions.

What is motivation?

Motivation manipulates the behaviours directed towards achieving a goal. It is the urge an individual has to behave to satisfy specific aims and goals in life. Several classic theories of motivation state that reasoning and rational thoughts are the primary driving force behind motivation. But now, psychologists believe that motivation is a force discovered by individuals to provide minimum physical pain, optimise well-being, and provide maximum pleasure. In simpler terms, motivation is a reason or an incentive to perform certain activities and behave in particular manners. 

Classification of motivation 

Drives and Motives

Motivation is primarily differentiated in biological needs and psychological needs. Biological needs are also called drives. Thirst, hunger, sleep, and sex are all biological needs called drives. All these activities are necessary, and most of them are performed by human beings involuntarily daily. It is believed that drives are designed for human beings without any external stimulus. For example, if you are thirsty, you will drink water without anybody telling you. 

On the other hand, motives are driven by psychological and social needs like work, family, and relationships. In addition, abstract elements like praise and approval play key roles. drive and motivation can be motivated by deprivation. Finally, motivation can be manipulated through aversive stimulus, which is always uncomfortable. For example, loud noise, excessive cold or heat, and even shocks will compel us to seek better conditions. Lastly, involuntary necessities like minimum nutrition and social connections also manipulate motivation.

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation 

Extrinsic motivation is the urge to behave in a certain way and perform certain activities when an individual is compelled through external factors. There is no personal satisfaction or inner happiness that they will attain if they agree to the conditions and behave accordingly. But they do it to fulfil external goals, often money or other forms of reward. For example, many people work jobs that they do not enjoy doing, but they do it for the money. They may not like the job, but they are in it for the end goal, i.e., money. The majority of individuals act according to external factors to receive external validation, become better than their peers, and often to defeat their peers. 

Internal factors manipulate intrinsic motivation, where self-esteem and satisfaction play a key role. As a result, people do things and behave in a manner that brings satisfaction. The satisfaction lies in performing the tasks, and the enjoyment is typically the end goal. For example, if an individual enjoys playing the guitar, they will continue to do so for as long as they enjoy performing. There is no external factor manipulating them to perform.

Realistically, motivation is a mixture of both internal and external factors. For example, if an individual enjoys painting, they will do it for the enjoyment and pleasure that painting brings them. Enjoyment is the intrinsic factor. But after a particular while, they will get a degree and become a painting teacher in a school, where they will get paid. Payment here is the extrinsic factor.

Motivation vs Emotions

Even though emotion is connected to motivation, their definitions are fundamentally different. Motivation defines the urge to achieve the end goal and everything we do. While emotions, in simple terms, can be defined as the way we feel about something. While both can influence us and compel us to behave in a particular manner, emotions often act as a motivator themselves. For example, if an individual is happy, he will be motivated to become more productive and positive. 

Conclusion

Motivation is the urge that manipulates individuals to behave and take specific actions to achieve the end goal. Often, biological needs are involuntary, and individuals have no control over them. On the other hand, psychological and social needs motivate an individual to perform better for external validation. Internal factors drive intrinsic motivation where self-satisfaction and enjoyment play a key role. While on the other hand, external factors like monetary remuneration become extrinsic motivation and compel individuals to behave and take specific actions. Emotions are connected to motivation, but sometimes, emotions can also act as motivators and manipulate individuals into taking specific actions. Thus, motivation is the driving force that manipulates individuals into performing specific tasks, behaving in particular manners, and taking specific actions following which they will be able to attain their end goals.