Motivation

Motivation is the internal and external processes that initiate, guide, and maintain goal-oriented behaviors. It encompasses the reasons or drives behind an individual’s actions, desires, and needs. Motivation can arise from intrinsic factors, such as personal values, interests, and a sense of achievement, or extrinsic factors, such as rewards, recognition, and external pressures. It plays a critical role in influencing the intensity, direction, persistence, and quality of behavior. In psychological terms, motivation is often associated with theories that explain how individuals become energized and directed toward achieving specific goals, such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-determination theory, and expectancy theory. Understanding motivation is essential in various fields, including education, business, sports, and mental health, as it impacts performance, goals, and personal fulfillment.