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Defined as the combined physiological and subjective state of feeling, emotion is an essential mental construct in human beings. In other words, emotion is any kind of experience that is characterized by strong psychological activity often associated with heightened or decreased levels of enjoyment or displeasure. Accordingly, emotion is habitually correlated with motivation, personality as well as mood and temperament. In this light, emotions are therefore complex mental components that result in both physical and innate changes that have a bearing on human behavior (Izard, 2009). Comparatively, motivation refers to the causal energy and the direction that forms the basis of behavior. Motivation is hence the reason for individuals’ desires, needs, and actions.
In this regard, motivation is an essential aspect of human life because it inspires people to perform specific actions. Psychologically speaking, motivation is a cycle in which thoughts affect behaviors and ultimately drive performance. Thus, motivation is intertwined with emotion; both psychological constructs activate or energize behavior. Similarly, since human beings possess the tendency to execute things with the hope of attaining positive emotions such as happiness and satisfaction, emotion is therefore perceived as either a reward or punishment for particular the motivated behavior. Ultimately, motivation is inseparable from emotion based on the fact that the latter energizes and directs the actions of former.
Theoretical Perspective of Emotion
Generally, emotions are complex in nature. As a result, various studies emerged primarily to enhance an in-depth understanding of the term ’emotion.’ Coined by Thomas Brown in the 19th century, the term “emotion” was adapted from a French word “emouvoir” which translates into “to stir up” (Izard, 2009). Thus, the word “emotion” gained access into the academic arena to convey the meaning of passions and affections (Izard, 2009). Emotions involve a coordination of various short-lived physiological responses.
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For example, emotions can be expressed verbally or through certain behaviors. The brain and the psychological aspect are thus involved in the emission of emotions. Various individuals have come forward to describe emotion in other terms. For instance, psychotherapist Michael Graham asserts that various physiological and psychological aspects accompany emotions. (Izard, 2009).
Psychologists argue that emotion is made up of a subjective as well as a deliberate experience that is described mainly by physical expressions and biological reactions. Therefore, a particular physiological activity leads to a specific emotion. Consequently, emotions produce a range of psychological, physiological, and behavioral changes. The fact that internal and external events evoke emotion means that emotion is composed of different components (Izard, 2009). Above all, the psychological aspect is an important component of emotion because it enables individuals to evaluate and decipher events and objects. Emotion and motivation work interchangeably to communication approval, disapproval or intention (Izard, 2009).
Apart from the psychological perspective with regards to emotion, physiologists assert that emotion is to a large extent related to the arousal of the nervous system with a wide range of states and strengths of the arousal pertaining to specific emotions. Behaviorists, on the other hand, perceive emotion as a behavioral tendency. For example, behaviorists argue that extroverts are more likely to express their emotions and hence are more social as opposed to their introverted counterparts who conceal their emotions and as such are socially withdrawn. Other theories perceive emotions as syndromes of components such as motivation and behavior.
The 19th-century evolutionary theories tried to explain the concept of emotion as well. Hess & Thibault (2009) argue that emotions serve a communication purpose among humans and hence the construct is essential for human survival. Darwin’s school of thought works on the assumption that emotion, like any other aspect of life, evolves with time in order to enable individuals to adapt to the ever changing environment (Hess & Thibault, 2009). Emotions that result from social connotations help to shape social characteristics of an individual to help him or her attain set objectives. Altogether, current research points out that emotion is an essential aspect of human life because it plays a significant role in various activities such as decision making and planning.
Theoretical Aspect of Motivation
Typically, motivation is the force behind people’s actions and desires. Motivation also refers to the individual’s urge to repeat a specific behavior. It is important to note that one’s motivation may be as a result of extrinsic or intrinsic forces. Therefore, motivation is regarded as the most essential reason that inspires people to perform actions and hence move forward (Hess & Thibault, 2009). Based on the role of motivation in the society, theories have emerged to offer an in-depth explanation of the concept of motivation.
Psychological theories, for instance, perceive motivation as a cycle in which behaviors influence behaviors. Psychologists note that every stage of the cycle is made up of various dimensions such as beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, psychologists argue that motivation exists within an individual. On the contrary, fundamental theories say that motivation is derived from an individual’s participation in activities within the cultural setting of social groups (Hess &Thibault, 2009).
Natural theories are therefore based on the assumption that human beings possess higher order needs. McGregor’s theory Y, for instance, asserts that human behavior is based on the satisfaction of needs that are arranged in a hierarchical order (Hess & Thibault, 2009). Appearing in the lowest end of the hierarchy, physiological needs are the most significant human needs because they are fundamental for the survival of humans. Satisfaction of physiological needs paves the way to focus on safety needs such as protection against danger. Social needs are the desires for acceptance and affiliation. Egoistic needs include self-esteem and independence, whereas self-actualization involves the recognition of an individual’s full potential.
How Motivation and Emotion Work Together
As stated in the introduction, motivation and emotion are intertwined in intricate ways. While motivation largely comprises of processes that power a person’s goals, emotions are regarded as the fuel that fires people’s abilities. Even though emotion and motivation are distinctive psychological constructs, it is evident that the two properties are correlated. For instance, emotion intrinsically drives individuals to perform activities primarily to enhance competence and performance skills. In this case, emotions compliment motivation as the former acts as the driving force that powers or sustains the feelings of wanting to achieve a set objective.
Typically, emotion serves as an intrinsic motivation because it causes an individual to develop the desire to perform actions without expecting a reward. Internal desire drives intrinsic motivation and hence is not affected by external factors. Similarly, emotion of happiness causes enjoyment in the task and forms the basis for intrinsic motivation. Introverts often engage in curiosity-driven activities in the absence of a reward (Izard, 2009). Consequently, intrinsic motivation, like emotion, is an innate process that necessitates growth and development in human beings.
For example, an introverted individual can study information technology directly with the intention of gaining more knowledge regarding computer technology. Similarly, the love for knowledge causes introverts to commit their time and energy in performing certain activities. The inner urge that drives individuals to perform certain actions leads to competence, which emerges as an essential element in intrinsic motivation. In other words, an internal agent, which is emotion, causes the behavior and the person engaging in the behavior must possess the view that the task increases his or her competence. As demonstrated in the sentence above, emotion powers competency, meaning that emotion acts as the driving force for motivation.
Emotion and motivation are mental components that rely on the relationship that exists between human beings and their environment. As a result, both constructs are linked to the energy or intensity of activities. Typically, emotion goes hand in hand with motives because an individual’s feelings are responsible for particular actions. For example, negative emotions lead to ill motives whereas positive emotions bring forth good motives. Emotion lays the foundation for properties of motivation.
For example, love for flowers drives individuals to plant flowers and cater for them appropriately. Some theorists concur that indeed, emotions are related to motivation, and as a result, the two constructs work hand in hand. Davis & Buskist (2008) for example, point out that humans possess the tendency of executing actions and activities with the hope of achieving satisfaction. According to the theorists, emotion serves as a reward or punishment for a particular motivated behavior (Davis & Buskist, 2008). Therefore, when an individual achieves or falters, he or she expresses emotion.
Since emotions are complex physiological as well as mental experiences, they can therefore serve as strong motivators within and of themselves. Notably, emotions can serve as motivators because they involve behavioral, subjective, and physiological components. For instance, fear motivates an individual to run away from a lion. Similarly, hatred motivates individuals to avenge those perceived to have wronged them. In this regard, an increase in emotion leads to increased motivation. For example, increased happiness leads to increased determination to achieve better results. Similarly, an increase in anger leads to an increased commitment to carry out vengeance.
Motivation and emotion play an essential role in a person’s life. As a result, various theories have tried to explain the concept of emotion and motivation with the aim of enhancing a deeper understanding of the two terms and their significance in the society. It is worth noting that psychologists and other theorists concur that emotion and motivation are essential in the survival of human beings. Most important is the fact that motivation is the reason why individuals perform specific actions and as a result serves as a direction to behavior.
Motivation can either be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is driven by the individual’s self-drive to achieve a particular outcome whereas external forces drive extrinsic motivation with the expectation of separable outcomes. Besides, emotion is the feeling that results from physical and psychological changes. Emotions are complex and influence behavior. Consequently, emotion is closely related to motivation because both constructs activate behavior. On the other hand, emotions are motivators because they energize behavior.
References
- Hess, U., &Thibault, P. (2009). Darwin and emotion expression. American Psychological Association, 64(2), 120-128.
- Davis, S.F., & Buskist, W. (Eds). (2008). 21st Century psychology: A reference handbook, (Vol.1). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Izard, C.E. (2009). Emotion theory and research: Highlights, unanswered questions, and emerging issues. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 1-25.
