Comments on: What motivates people?

By: Stephen Monrad

Stephen Monrad — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:18:36 +0000

Adam.

I’m just starting my research into motivation. I haven’t decided how complete or incomplete this list is.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:13:01 +0000

I think the categories are arbitrary and far from exhaustive. I won’t deny that they capture a piece of the picture–that is, that they describe some of what motivates us–but it’s a partial and not particularly detailed piece.

By: Stephen Monrad

Stephen Monrad — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:11:41 +0000

Adam.

I take your point. pain-aversion and self-preservation could fall under 15 – Tranquility: the need to be safe.

I think the point of the categories is that the multitude of things that motivate us are based on these 16 basic needs. Some things that motivate us could be mixtures of several categories.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:30:01 +0000

Of course pay incentives aren’t necessary. Look at the antebellum American south; slaves weren’t motivated to work by being paid.

So I’d add self-preservation and pain-aversion to that list, among others.

Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments is a fantastic exploration of some of the other things that motivate us as well.