Which term is often used interchangeably with the term “motivation”?
a. personality
b. emotion
c. need
d. perception
e. feeling?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. need.
Explanation:
Motivation and need are closely related concepts in psychology and are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. However, among the options given, need is the term most frequently associated with motivation.
Motivation refers to the internal processes that initiate, guide, and sustain goal-directed behavior. It explains why people do what they do, what drives their actions, and how they maintain effort toward achieving objectives.
On the other hand, a need is a specific internal state that creates a desire or requirement for something essential or beneficial. Needs are often considered the starting point or basis for motivation. When a person experiences a need (such as hunger, safety, or belonging), it creates a motivational state that pushes the individual to act in a way that satisfies that need.
For example, Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory describes a progression of human needs, from basic physiological needs (like food and water) to higher-level psychological needs (like self-esteem and self-actualization). According to this model, motivation arises from unmet needs.
Why not the other options?
- Personality refers to enduring traits and characteristics that influence behavior but is not directly synonymous with motivation.
- Emotion involves feelings and affective states, which can influence motivation but are not the same as motivation itself.
- Perception is the process of interpreting sensory information and is related to how individuals see and understand the world, but it is different from motivation.
- Feeling is a subjective experience of emotion and is not interchangeable with motivation.
Summary
In summary, need best aligns with the term motivation because needs create the drive that fuels motivated behavior. Motivation essentially arises from an individual’s efforts to fulfill their needs, making the two concepts closely linked and often used interchangeably in many psychological discussions.