Classification of Motives

A. Physiological Motives or Survival

Motives
Physiological motives are those directly
related. To normal body functions such as the
need for air, food, water, excretion of wastes,
rest, protection from the extremes of heat and
cold, sleep, and avoidance of pain.
Physiological Motives or
Survival Motives

•Hunger
This condition is believed to be caused by
rhythmic contractions of the empty stomach. The
strength of the hunger drive can be measured by
discovering how much resistance a human drive
or an animal will endure or overcome in order to
reach food that will alleviate the hunger state.

•Thirst
A dryness of the membranes of the mouth results
from deficiency of eater in the tissues and a
decrease in the secretions of the salivary glands.
Physiological Motives or
Survival Motives

•Recovery from Fatigue

There is strong desire for rest when one is tired.
Hence, the urge to sleep can be very powerful.

•Maintenance of Temperature
Normalcy
A human being is a warm-blooded animal with
the body temperature maintained at 98.6
degrees Fahrenheit.
Physiological Motives or
Survival Motives

•Maintaining Proper Elimination

The process of elimination of waste matter is
taken care of by the body through the proper
functioning of specialized organs as they are
activated by adequate internal stimuli.
•Avoidance of Pain
The need to avoid tissue damage is essential for
the survival of any organism.
Classification of Motives

B. Psychological Motives or Social Motives

The psychological need, sometimes classified as social
motives, is that which arises as a result of interaction with
other people.

The so-called motives substantially depend on social

groups and concern social dominance, conformity to
societal norms (fads, fashions, customs, and mores), and
obedience to authority. The common psychological or
social motives that lead us to affiliate and interact with
others are the need for security, social approval, affection,
sex, and dependence.
Psychological Motives or
Social Motives

•Affectional Drive
Love and affection are very powerful motives.
This is the drive to have contact with, or be near
some object or person that provides comfort and
warmth.
•Need for Security and Safety
The urge for security is one of the most powerful
socializing forces.
Psychological Motives or
Social Motives

•Sex Urge
The sex drive is classified as a social motive since
it involves another person. It is limited in its
expression by social pressure; that is, society sets
the pattern for acceptable modes of sexual
gratification.

•The Need for Affiliation

This is the desire to connect or associate oneself
with others
Psychological Motives or
Social Motives

•Gregariousness
This is the desire to be in the company or in the
presence of another people.

•Dependency (or succorance)

Closely related to affiliation drive and probably a
sub classification of it, dependency drive is the
need to seek aid, protection, and sympathy from
another, the need to depend on others, the
need to have someone to look up to and
depend on for help.
Psychological Motives or
Social Motives

•Social Approval
The desire for group approval is one of the
strongest urges of man.
Classification of Motives

C. Ego-Integrative Motives or
Personal Motives
These are motives built around the “self.” They
have to do with the individual’s need for self-
respect, self-esteem, the desire for prestige and
status in the eyes of others, or the desire for
power.
The personal motives or ego-integrative
motives are:
Ego-Integrative Motives or
Personal Motives

•Recognition
The drive for prestige and the drive for status are
related to the drive for recognition. Prestige need
– refers to the desire to feel better than other
persons with whom one compares himself.
It is a desire to attain a personality of a greater
status.

Status Drive – refers to the need to have a

high rank in society, to be respected by people
we know and not to be considered inferior, to be
highly regarded by them.
Ego-Integrative Motives or
Personal Motives

•The Power Drive (or dominance)

This is the need to control and influence others, to
seek or compel the obedience of others, to
determine their fate.
•Achievement Drive
This is the drive to accomplish something in order
to have a feeling of having done something
worthwhile or important.
Ego-Integrative Motives or
Personal Motives

•Autonomy
This is the drive for independence; the need to
resist the influence of others, the need to feel that
one had power over his actions, and has an area
of prime responsibility.

•Defensiveness Drive
This is the desire of one to defend oneself from
blame, criticism, ridicule, and censure. It is the
desire to preserve one’s good name; the need to
avoid failure, shame, and humiliation.