Final answer:
The term that defines the overriding desires guiding life choices is motivation, a complex concept influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors and is a key subject in psychology. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes the overriding desires that drive how people live their lives is motivation. Motivation encompasses the wants or needs that direct behavior toward goals and can stem from various sources, including beauty, love, discovery, conquest, and freedom. In the context of the human experience, motivation is a complex and multifaceted concept. It includes biological, social, and psychological components and can be influenced by intrinsic or extrinsic factors such as personal satisfaction or external rewards. Concepts such as Stanislavski's hierarchy of character objectives in theatre mirror the ways individuals are driven by their needs and goals in real life.
Historical accounts, such as those by Monica H. Green, indicate that human actions are driven by myriad motives, each with their own significance. Freud's model of the mind and its drives, including eros and thanatos, also provides insight into the deep-seated forces governing behavior. Additionally, Maslow's hierarchy of needs exemplifies how our actions can be motivated by a range of needs from basic physiological demands to complex psychological and social desires like self-actualization.
Ultimately, motivation is an essential component of the human condition, influencing every aspect of how we think, feel, and act. As such, it is a vital topic of study in the field of psychology to understand why we do what we do and how we can channel our motivations toward achieving personal excellence and well-being.