Have you ever put off a task because you just couldn’t bring yourself to get it done?
It might have been something as simple as cleaning your room or finishing your homework. But you just couldn't find the motivation.
Psychology can explain this! Understanding the 3 types of motives in psychology will help you figure out what motivates you to accomplish your goals.
What's A Motive?
If you're a murder mystery fan like me, you've probably heard the word "motive" before. There are different types of motives in psychology. These are the “internal needs, desires and goals that drive our behavior.”
You (and everyone else) do things for a reason — whether you're aware of them or not. Different things can motivate certain people.
McClelland’s Human Motivation Theory
There are many theories related to motivation that can describe different types of motives in psychology. For example, maybe you’ve heard of the 2 major types of motivation:
intrinsic motivation: doing something for personal reasons
extrinsic motivation: doing something for external reasons, like a reward or punishment
David McClelland, an American psychologist, has a slightly different view of motivation.
According to McClelland, the 3 major types of motives in psychology that influence people are:
affiliation
power
achievement
He suggests that one of these motives or needs can be more dominant depending on the person, but these motivators can influence everyone to some extent and influence their behavior.
Motive 1: The Need For Affiliation
People have a need for affiliation, which means that they're motivated by their relationships with other people. People with a strong motive for affiliation are driven to act in ways that make sure they are liked or accepted by others.
For example, this motive can make you laugh at someone else's joke — even when it's not that funny — just because you don't want to hurt their feelings.
Quiz
Olivia moved to a new school. Which actions show her motive for affiliation? Select all that apply:
Motive 2: The Need For Power
While the need for power can definitely be problematic, it’s not always a bad thing. No one likes feeling powerless. People with a strong motive for power are driven by status and influence over others. Since they value being respected by others, they often seek and enjoy leadership positions.
For instance, running for class president so you can influence school changes and events shows your motive for power.
Motive 3: The Need for Achievement
People need to feel capable and see themselves progress and grow. Those with a strong motive for achievement may be competitive and enjoy overcoming challenges.
Think of how happy athletes are when they win a championship after years of hard work. There’s nothing better than a job well done!
Quiz
Joey has a big test coming up. If he is highly motivated by the achievement motive, what might be helpful for convincing himself to study?
Take Action
No matter who you are or what you do, there will always be times when you need to do something you don’t feel like doing. Knowing the different types of motives in psychology gives you a better understanding of what you need.And staying motivated helps you live a more productive and satisfying life!
Try these tips to get (and stay) motivated:
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