II.   Mind (PSY)

Motivation is a word derived from a philosophy that assumes there exists a direct connection between external behaviors of an internal impulse or emotion. Hence, Motivation means the quality of external movement or gesture (extrinsic) and the internal impulse or emotion (intrinsic) that is assumed to be the cause of the action.

The word Motivation originates from the Latin word motivatio, itself derived from the combination of three (3) Latin words motio meaning “movement, dance, gesture, impulse, emotion, rising, rebellion”, vas meaning “vessel, domestic instrument, tool for working, travelling equipment” and tio meaning “quality / attribute(s) of”. Hence Motivation literally means “the quality / attribute(s) of the movement / impulse of the vessel”.

The word Motive originates from the Latin word motivas, itself derived from the combination of two (2) Latin words motio meaning “movement, dance, gesture, impulse, emotion, rising, rebellion” and vas meaning “vessel, domestic instrument, tool for working, travelling equipment”.

Motivation by its true definition defines a specific direct connection between the internal world of mind and measurable external behavior, not the source or “catalyst” force. Therefore, the argument that Motivation is either external (extrinsic) or internal (intrinsic) is contradictory and misleading.

Motive therefore incorrectly assumes that simply by knowing the connection between external movement, gestures or actions, the internal impulse or emotion may be derived and vice versa.

While the word Motive by definition defines a flawed philosophical model, it is the preferred word for use in behaviour assumptions because of its ancient custom of connecting the external behaviour to an internal trait.