motivation
moh-tuh-VAY-shun
/ˌmoʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən/
The psychological reason, desire, or internal force that impels a person to act toward a specific goal.
Refers to the overall psychological construct or reason driving behavior, whether conscious or subconscious.
The story behind the word. The word traces back to the Latin 'movere', meaning 'to move'. In the 19th century, psychologists borrowed the term to describe the unseen inner engine that moves a human being from passive rest into active pursuit.
Word relationships
- drive: Drive emphasizes raw, visceral physiological or psychological urge, whereas motivation often includes cognitive reasoning.
- impetus: Impetus emphasizes the initial spark or momentum that sets action into motion.
- apathy: Apathy represents a total lack of feeling, interest, or concern.
- indifference: Indifference means unconcern or neutral unresponsiveness.
Commonly confused with
- incentive: Motivation is the internal state or reason, while an incentive is an external reward offered to encourage action.
Word family
- motivate (verb): To provide someone with a reason to act.
- motivational (adjective): Intended to inspire or encourage action.
Collocations
- intrinsic motivation
- extrinsic motivation
- lack of motivation
- find motivation
Idioms & expressions
- lose one's motivation
Example sentences
- "Her primary motivation for pursuing a degree in neuroscience was a deep curiosity about human memory." Psychological study
- "High expectations are the key to everything, providing the motivation to overcome immense obstacles." Business quote
Memory hook
MOTIVATION is your internal MOTOR in ACTION that moves you toward a goal. Motor in action.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to a physical shove or mechanical force; use thrust or push instead.
Fun facts
- The term was rarely used in English before the 20th century, gaining rapid popularity with modern industrial psychology.
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