motivation: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos and Videos

Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background.

Diagram that presents Maslow's hierachy of needs in the shape of a triangle split into five levels. The bottom level is labeled physiological needs; the next level up is safety needs, and the level above that is love needs. The next level is esteem needs. At the top of the triangle is need for self-actualization.

A close-up black-and-white image of an actress with wide, frightened eyes.

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

secondary motivation primary motivation need internal motive incentive motivation external motive desire cognitive motivation achievement motivation curiosity human sexual activity perception human intelligence memory personality emotion creativity Mind attitude anomie

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

default image

Kenneth Wartinbee Spence

American psychologist

default image

Neal E. Miller

American psychologist