Motivation and Behavior

Behavior: it is goal oriented. In other words our behavior is generally motivated by a desire to attain some goal. The basic unit of behavior is an activity.

Motives: motives are the why‘s in behavior. They arouse and maintain activity and determine the general direction of the behavior of an individual. In essence motives or needs are the mainsprings of action. These two terms motives and needs are interchangeably used.

Goals: goals are the out side an individual they are sometimes referred to as “hoped for” reward toward which motives are directed. These goals are often called incentives by psychologists.

Motive strength: all individuals have many hundreds of needs. All of these needs compete for their behavior. The need with the greatest strength at a particular moment leads to activity.

Need satisfaction: according to Abraham Moslow, a need when satisfied is no longer a motivating factor.

Categories of activities: high strength needs can be classified into two categories goal directed activity and goal activity.
Goal directed activity – in essence, is motivated behavior directed at reaching a goal.
Goal activity is engaging in the goal itself.