Final answer:
Motives in human behavior can be biological, emotional, social, or cognitive forces that drive actions and are divided into intrinsic and extrinsic types. Self-efficacy and social influences are also significant factors in motivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Motives may take the form of needs, drives, and intrinsic or extrinsic factors that propel individuals towards certain behaviors. In the context of psychology, motivation is the force that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It involves biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate behavior. Intrinsic motives are those that arise from within the individual, such as the need for self-satisfaction or personal achievement. Conversely, extrinsic motives are influenced by external rewards such as money, recognition, or approval from others. Several theories of motivation, such as drive theory, suggest that behavior is an attempt to fulfill basic physiological needs and restore homeostasis. For instance, hunger drives an individual to seek food, thereby realigning their body's need for nutrients. When discussing motivation, it is also useful to reference Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which categorizes human needs into different levels, from the most basic physiological needs to higher-level needs such as self-actualization. Self-efficacy, another key concept in motivational psychology, is the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations, which in turn can powerfully influence one's actions and motivations. Furthermore, social factors such as cultural norms and interpersonal relationships can significantly influence an individual's motivations and behaviors.