What exactly is motivation?

Motivation has been defined quite a few ways. Essentially, however, it is the drive that fuels our actions. The three basic categories of motivation are biological, psychological, and social. It can be further subcategorized, based on the specific needs.

• Biological motivation stems from the desire to maintain homeostasis by minimizing hunger, thirst, and other basic discomforts. This is perhaps the easiest to understand of all motivations. Although we all have experienced each of these in some depth or other, we are most familiar with the biological.

• Psychological motivation is a more self-aware drive; while it is natural for all forms of life on Earth to work towards homeostasis, only the mobile experience cognitive, affective, and conative motivation. Humans and many animals are compelled by curiosity, fear, personal goals, and individualism.

• Social motivation is another force that exerts control over creatures with a certain level of intellect. This type of motivation stems from the desire to feel accepted by others and gain their approval as a valued member of your species, and results most prominently in imitation of others. An excellent example is the 'pack mentality' of the wolf.