Motivation is an internal state that propels individuals to engage in goal-directed behavior. It is a complex phenomenon and its precise definition is disputed. Learn about different types of motivation, theories of motivation, and the relevance of motivation to various fields. Introduction Understanding behavior, learning, and well-being requires an understanding of motivation, a fundamental and pervasive concept in psychology. Finding out the reasons behind people's thoughts and behaviors is the goal of the study of motivation. What motivates people to take action, persevere, and succeed? A thorough examination of motivation's definition, foundational ideas, and the state of the literature in this area is necessary to comprehend it from a psychological standpoint ... MOTIVATION definition: 1. enthusiasm for doing something: 2. the need or reason for doing something: 3. enthusiasm for…. Learn more. The term motivation describes the forces acting either on or within a person to initiate behaviour. The word is derived from the Latin term motivus (“a moving cause”), which suggests the activating properties of the processes involved in psychological motivation.