MOTIVATION in the human behavior
Have you noticed how each one of us is busy in one or the other activities? We try
our best to achieve certain goals; and, if some difficulty comes in the way we feel
frustrated. These statements show that our daily life is influenced by our needs such
as hunger, thirst, achievement, affiliation etc. Not only that, we also feel happy, sad,
angry or violent. The former aspects refer to motivation and the latter refer to different
types of emotions. This lesson explains the relevance of motivation and emotions in
human life. Motivation helps in answering the question: why do people seek to do
certain things?. This helps us understand why people differ in terms of their behaviour.
Emotions play an equally important role in everything we do, affecting our
relationships with others and health. Both concepts are important because they help
us understand the reasons for the various activities we indulge in and help determine
the unique personality of each person.
Why do you need to learn MOTIVATION in the human behavior
you will be able to:
understand the concepts of motives and needs;
understand goal directed behaviour;
understand the different aspects of emotions; and
understand the role of emotions in organizing behaviour.
NATURE OF MOTIVATION
Have you wondered as to – ‘Why does your father/mother go to work everyday?’
‘Why do you study for long hours?’ ‘Why do you like to play with your friends?’ or
‘Why does your mother stay up the whole night and care for you when you are
feeling unwell?’
Each of these questions has an answer as there is a reason or motive behind each
type of activity mentioned. Working, studying, playing and caring are some important
activities which are considered purposeful. Motives, wants, needs, interests and
desires help explain our movement towards the chosen goals. A need or motive
directs us to act or behave in a particular way towards a certain goal. Thus you study
for long hours to achieve good results and your mother looks after you because of
the affection and concern she has for you as her child.