motivation

/ˈmoʊdəˌveɪʃən/

/məʊtɪˈveɪʃən/

Other forms: motivations

People often need motivation to do tasks they'd prefer not to do. Do you work? Your motivation is your paycheck. Lost something? Finding it may provide motivation to tidy the house.

At the root of the word motivation is the word motive, which is similarly defined as the reason for a particular action. Although the words are synonyms, when it comes to criminal behavior, people generally ask about the motives leading to the criminal acts, not the motivation behind them. Other synonyms for motivation include inspiration and enthusiasm, so people tend to associate motivation with positive acts.

Definitions of motivation

1. noun

   the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
   “we did not understand his motivation”

   synonyms: motive, need

   types:

   life

   a motive for living

   rational motive

   a motive that can be defended by reasoning or logical argument

   irrational motive

   a motivation that is inconsistent with reason or logic

   impulse, urge

   an instinctive motive

   ethical motive, ethics, morality, morals

   motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

   mental energy, psychic energy

   an actuating force or factor

   ground, reason

   a rational motive for a belief or action

   incentive, inducement, motivator

   a positive motivational influence

   deterrence, disincentive

   a negative motivational influence

   abience

   (psychology) an urge to withdraw or avoid a situation or an object

   adience

   (psychology) an urge to accept or approach a situation or an object

   Thanatos, death instinct, death wish

   (psychoanalysis) an unconscious urge to die

   irrational impulse

   a strong spontaneous and irrational motivation

   cacoethes, mania, passion

   an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action

   itchy feet, wanderlust

   very strong or irresistible impulse to travel

   compulsion, obsession

   an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will

   hedonism

   the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of ethical principle

   conscience, moral sense, scruples, sense of right and wrong

   motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

   Christ Within, Inner Light, Light, Light Within

   a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul

   incitation, incitement, provocation

   something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action

   libidinal energy

   (psychoanalysis) psychic energy produced by the libido

   type of:

   psychological feature

   a feature of the mental life of a living organism
2. noun

   the condition of being motivated
   “his motivation was at a high level”

   type of:

   condition, status

   a state at a particular time
3. noun

   the act of motivating; providing incentive
   synonyms: motivating

   type of:

   act, deed, human action, human activity

   something that people do or cause to happen