Motivation vs. Motive — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 19, 2024
Motivation is the driving force that initiates and guides behavior towards goals, while motive refers to the specific reason behind an action.
Difference Between Motivation and Motive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Motivation encompasses the internal and external factors that stimulate the desire and energy in individuals to be continually interested and committed to a job, role, or subject, or to make an effort to attain a goal. It's the general desire or willingness of someone to do something. On the other hand, a motive is more specific and refers to the underlying reason for a particular action or behavior, often explaining why an individual chooses to do something.
Motivation can be intrinsic, coming from within due to personal satisfaction or desire, or extrinsic, driven by external rewards such as money or recognition. Motives, however, are often linked to intrinsic desires such as needs, wants, or values that drive specific actions, like hunger motivating someone to eat.
While motivation is a broader concept that can be applied to a range of activities and goals, providing the 'push' towards achieving something, motives are more focused on the 'why' behind a specific action. For example, one might be motivated to improve their health (broad goal), and their motive could be to feel more energetic daily (specific reason).
Motivation can fluctuate and change over time, influenced by various factors including personal interest, societal pressures, or changes in life circumstances. Motives, while they can also change, are more directly tied to specific actions and are often more stable in the short term.
Understanding the distinction between motivation and motive can be crucial in areas such as psychology, business, and education, as it helps in tailoring approaches to improve motivation by addressing the underlying motives.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The drive towards action or goals
The specific reason behind an action
Nature
Can be intrinsic or extrinsic
Often intrinsic, tied to needs or desires
Scope
Broad, general desire
Specific, underlying reason
Stability
Can fluctuate over time
More stable in relation to a specific action
Application
Across various activities and goals
Focused on the 'why' behind a specific action
Compare with Definitions
Motivation
The process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.
His motivation to succeed in school was driven by a desire for knowledge.
Motive
A reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious.
The detective questioned the suspect's motive for the crime.
Motivation
Can be driven by intrinsic or extrinsic factors.
Her intrinsic motivation for painting comes from the joy it brings her.
Motive
Can be personal or universal, such as basic human needs.
Seeking shelter is a basic motive in extreme weather conditions.
Motivation
The desire to act in pursuit of a goal.
Motivation to exercise can improve physical health.
Motive
Often related to psychological needs or desires.
The motive behind his volunteering is his compassion for others.
Motivation
Can change over time and be influenced by various factors.
Losing weight provided the motivation to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Motive
Tends to be more stable in relation to specific actions.
Her motive for studying late was to ace the exam.
Motivation
A psychological force that compels action towards a goal.
Motivation can stem from the need for recognition.
Motive
The driving force behind specific actions.
Hunger was his motive for skipping the meeting.
Motivation
Motivation is what explains why people or animals initiate, continue or terminate a certain behavior at a particular time. Motivational states are commonly understood as forces acting within the agent that create a disposition to engage in goal-directed behavior.
Motive
An emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar impulse that acts as an incitement to action.
Motivation
The act or process of motivating
The coach's effective motivation of her players.
Motive
(mōtĭv, mō-tēv) A motif in art, literature, or music.
Motivation
The state of being motivated; having a desire or willingness to act
Students with a high level of motivation.
Motive
Causing or able to cause motion
Motive power.
Motivation
Something that motivates; an inducement, reason, or goal
“If your primary motivation in life is to be moral, you don't become an artist” (Mary Gordon).
Motive
Causing an action
Motive pleas.
Motivation
Willingness of action especially in behavior.
Motive
(obsolete) An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
Motivation
The action of motivating.
Motive
An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.
Motivation
Something which motivates.
Motive
A limb or other bodily organ that can move.
Motivation
An incentive or reason for doing something.
Motive
(law) Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
What would his motive be for burning down the cottage?
No-one could understand why she had hidden the shovel; her motives were obscure at best.
Motivation
(advertising) A research rating that measures how the rational and emotional elements of a commercial affect consumer intention to consider, visit, or buy something.
The motivation scores showed that 65% of people wanted to visit our website to learn more about the offer after watching the commercial.
Motive
A motif.
Motivation
The act or process of motivating.
Motive
(music) A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated.
If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.
Motivation
The mental process that arouses an organism to action; as, a large part of a teacher's job is to give students the motivation to learn on their own.
Motive
(transitive) To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
Motivation
The goal or mental image of a goal that creates a motivation{2}; as, the image of a peaceful world is a powerful motivation for only a rare few individuals.
Motive
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
A motive argument
Motive power
Motivation
The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior;
We did not understand his motivation
He acted with the best of motives
Motive
Relating to motion and/or to its cause
Motivation
The condition of being motivated;
His motivation was at a high level
Motive
That which moves; a mover.
Motivation
The act of motivating; providing incentive
Motive
That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object; motivation{2}.
By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively.
Motive
The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading.
Motive
That which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one.
Motive
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
Motive
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
Motive
The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior;
We did not understand his motivation
He acted with the best of motives
Motive
A theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music
Motive
Causing or able to cause motion;
A motive force
Motive power
Motor energy
Motive
Impelling to action;
It may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function
Motive pleas
Motivating arguments
Common Curiosities
Why is understanding motives important in psychology?
Understanding motives helps in identifying the underlying reasons for behaviors, aiding in effective psychological assessments and interventions.
How do societal norms influence motivation and motives?
Societal norms can shape what individuals find motivating and can also influence the underlying motives by setting expectations and values.
What is the key difference between motivation and motive?
Motivation is the overarching drive towards behavior or goals, while motive is the specific reason behind an action.
How do intrinsic and extrinsic factors relate to motivation?
Intrinsic factors come from within, like personal satisfaction, while extrinsic factors involve external rewards, both influencing motivation.
How can one increase their motivation?
Identifying and addressing underlying motives, setting clear goals, and finding personal significance in actions can enhance motivation.
Do motivation and motive play a role in goal setting?
Yes, motivation provides the drive to set and pursue goals, while motives influence the specific goals chosen based on underlying reasons.
Can the same motive lead to different types of motivation?
Yes, a single motive, like financial security, can drive various motivated behaviors, from career advancement to investment.
Is there a biological basis for motivation and motives?
Biological factors, including neurological and physiological processes, can underpin both motivation and specific motives.
Can motivation exist without a clear motive?
Yes, one can feel motivated by a general desire for achievement without pinpointing a specific reason.
Is it possible for motives to change over time?
While motives related to specific actions are relatively stable, they can evolve with changes in personal values, needs, or circumstances.
How do educators use the understanding of motivation and motives?
Educators tailor teaching strategies to enhance student motivation by aligning educational activities with students' motives.
How do motivation and motives interact in decision-making?
Motivation pushes towards making decisions, while motives influence the direction and rationale behind those decisions.
Can external influences alter one's motives?
External factors can influence motives, especially when they affect one's needs, desires, or perception of what's important.
How do motivation and motives impact workplace productivity?
Understanding and fostering employee motivation and addressing individual motives can significantly enhance productivity and satisfaction.
Can a lack of motivation be tied to unclear motives?
Yes, unclear or conflicting motives can lead to reduced motivation as the direction or purpose of actions becomes unclear.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
