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secondary motivation

psychology
Also known as: learned motivation

Quick Summary

Secondary motivation refers to learned drives that can differ between individuals and animals. These motives are acquired through various learning techniques, including classical, instrumental, and observational learning.12

Instrumental learning, or operant conditioning, plays a significant role. When a behavior is followed by a positive consequence, the likelihood of that behavior recurring increases. For instance, if a child's aggressive response leads to a desired toy, their motivation to be aggressive may grow.2

Money is a prime example of a secondary motive. Through conditioned reinforcement, neutral stimuli like money become motivators because they are associated with primary reinforcers such as food, clothing, or sex. Cognitive theories also explore motivation, suggesting that behavior is directed by information processing, expectations, and self-perception.23

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