external motive

Motivation refers to the forces that initiate behavior, derived from the Latin word for "a moving cause." Psychologists study motivation to understand changes in behavior, often inferring it from observable actions rather than measuring it directly. Motivation is primarily a performance variable, meaning its effects can be temporary.

Motives are categorized as primary (unlearned, like hunger and thirst) or secondary (learned, like achievement). They can also be classified as "pushes" (internal changes triggering motive states) or "pulls" (external goals influencing behavior). Most situations involve a combination of both internal pushes and external pulls. For instance, hunger is an internal push, but the desire to eat a specific food is an external pull. Incentive motivation focuses on how external goals, like a favorite restaurant, influence behavior, and these preferences are typically learned. Debates exist on whether motivation stems from innate processes or learned behaviors, with current understanding suggesting both play a role.123