Motivational theories

A need is a deficiency at a point of time and in a given context. Needs are distinguished from wants. In the case of a need, a deficiency causes a clear adverse outcome: a dysfunction or death. In other words, a need is something required for a safe, stable and healthy life (e.g. air, water, food, land, shelter) while a want is a desire, wish or aspiration. When needs or wants are backed by purchasing power, they have the potential to become economic demands.

thumb|alt=Diagram with the texts "pleasure", "motivation", "value", and "morality", together with arrows|Different forms of hedonism address the role of pleasure in motivation, value, and morality.

theory in developmental psychology proposed by Abraham Maslow, comprising a five-tier model of human needs: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization

mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time

theories of human motivation

cognitive theory of human motivation and personality

psychological theory of motivation

psychological theory

hypothesis that the subjective value of a gamble is the statistical expectation of one’s valuations (which may differ from dollar values) of the gamble’s outcomes

theory

psychological phenomenon

economics concept

theory

person's desire for significant accomplishment

theory of human achievement and motivation by David McClelland (1961)

theory of work design

stating a preference not truly held

Concept in sociology

psychologist (1940–2015)

questionnaire designed to measure prevention focus and promotion focus

theory

deliberate misrepresentation of knowledge

sources of motivation