DEFINITION of MOTIVATION

Motivation is defined as an internal state or condition, such as a need or desire, that activates behavior, energizes the behavior, and gives the behavior a particular direction in which to proceed. Motivation precedes action, provides the push to begin an activity, and produces the drive to keep our attention and effort focused on the desired activity (Ormrod, 2008). Motivation is the driving force that helps us achieve our goals.
The stimulus, incentive, or inducement to act or react in a certain way. Purposeful human behavior is motivated behavior, which means that either physiologic or social stimuli activate or motivate a person to do something. An example of a physiological motivation would be hunger. If a person is experiencing mild hunger, they may or may not be motivated to go find food. On the other hand, a person who is on the verge of actusl starvation is highly motivated to find food or they will die. An example of a social stimulus as a motivator would be the desire to be accepted by peers, particularly for an adolescent. The individual might participate in dangerous activities as a motivation for acceptance or approval of their peers. Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears during the adolescent years(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2008).
Motivation can be classified as extrinsic or intrinsic, depending on the source. Extrinsic motivation exists when the motivation comes from an external source such as a parent, teacher, or law enforcement. These external motivators are generally tasks we are required to perform whether we enjoy them or not and they are frequently completed to actually avoid unpleasantness or punishment and are not performed for joy or contentment as other activities are. Examples of extrinsic motivators are traffic laws, filing taxes, and completing homework assignments. Intrinsic motivations are those which come from within ourselves and motivate us to perform tasks which we enjoy. Intrinsic motivations include working on a favorite hobby or going out with friends. These type motivations require little effort to begin and we are often reluctant to stop these activities because of the pleasure they provide.

                                                                  References

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology (May 2008). Accessed April 14 2011 from
     http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/normal_adolescent_developement_part_i
      
Ormrod, J.E. (2008). Human Learning (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall