Title: What Is Motivation?
Headings: What Is Motivation?
What Is Motivation?
What Is Motivation?
Types of Motivation
Is It Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation?
Uses
Impact
Tips
Potential Pitfalls
History of Motivation
Instincts
Drives and Needs
Arousal Levels
A Word From Verywell

Content: The following are some of the major theories of motivation. Instincts
The instinct theory of motivation suggests that behaviors are motivated by instincts, which are fixed and inborn patterns of behavior. 5 ﻿ Psychologists including William James, Sigmund Freud, and William McDougal have proposed a number of basic human drives that motivate behavior. Such instincts might include biological instincts that are important for an organism's survival such as fear, cleanliness, and love. Drives and Needs
Many of your behaviors such as eating, drinking, and sleeping are motivated by biology. You have a biological need for food, water, and sleep. Therefore, you are motivated to eat, drink, and sleep. Drive theory suggests that people have basic biological drives and that behaviors are motivated by the need to fulfill these drives. 6 ﻿
Arousal Levels
The arousal theory of motivation suggests that people are motivated to engage in behaviors that help them maintain their optimal level of arousal. 3 ﻿ A person with low arousal needs might pursue relaxing activities such as reading a book, while those with high arousal needs might be motivated to engage in exciting, thrill-seeking behaviors, such as motorcycle racing.