Motive

Motive

A motive is a reason for doing something. It is an inner drive, impulse, or intention that causes a person to act in a certain way. Motives are often considered in the context of psychology, criminology, and philosophy.

Types of Motives

Motives can be broadly categorized into three types:

• Biological Motives: These are innate and necessary for survival, such as hunger, thirst, and the need for sleep.
• Social Motives: These are learned and often involve interactions with others, such as the need for achievement, affiliation, and power.
• Personal Motives: These are individual and unique to each person, such as personal goals, desires, and aspirations.

Motive in Psychology

In psychology, motives are studied to understand human behavior. Psychologists examine how motives influence actions, thoughts, and feelings. Theories such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs and self-determination theory explore different aspects of human motivation.

Motive in Criminology

In criminology, motive is a key element in understanding criminal behavior. It helps in determining why a crime was committed and can be crucial in criminal investigations and legal proceedings. Common motives for crimes include financial gain, revenge, and passion.

Motive in Philosophy

In philosophy, motives are discussed in the context of ethics and morality. Philosophers debate the nature of motives and their role in moral actions. The concept of intentionality is closely related to motives in philosophical discussions.

Related Concepts

• Intent
• Desire
• Goal
• Drive theory
• Incentive theory
• Behavioral psychology

See Also

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs
• Self-determination theory
• Criminal psychology
• Ethics
• Intentionality