What Is The Difference Between Motivation And Emotion?
Both motivation and emotion are psychological processes that have a high impact on human behavior. Thus, a greater understanding of how it works can be beneficial when it comes to better understanding certain human behaviors. Have you ever considered the considerable impact they can have on our daily lives?
Although both words are commonly used, they are not always used correctly. On many occasions they are used as if they were synonyms without taking into account the specificities of each of the terms.
Thus, Throughout this article we will define both terms, motivation and emotion, in order to be able, from this basis, to see in what aspects they differ in detail. In addition, continuing reading until the end of the article will allow you to know a little more about the way in which both processes are related.
The word motivation derives from the term motus, motum in Latin which could be translated as motor or movement. This is why, in psychology, motivation is usually defined as the desire or need that activates, drives and directs our behavior towards a certain objective or end.
That is to say, Motivation allows us to guide, direct, our behavior towards the satisfaction of our needs. For example, when the hunger signal is activated, we mobilize to get food and satisfy this need.
Since it has been a topic that has aroused a lot of interest due to its close relationship with human behavior, there are various theories that have been proposed from psychology. Some of the best known are the theory of instincts, impulse reduction, arousal and A. Maslow’s hierarchical theory of needs.
Depending on the approach we take, the division of types of motivation may vary. However, One of the best-known ways to typify motivation is to divide it into two types: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.
How do we define emotion?
The word emotion derives from the Latin term emotio, emotionis. It could be translated as movement or agitation. Many people also relate it to emovere in which the movement is contemplated to be outward. This reflects the idea that emotions occur internally but move us outward.
In psychology, emotions are considered to be natural physiological responses to certain stimuli. They give us information both about the external world and about the internal world itself and also have the function of allowing us to adapt to our environment.
In the case of human beings, emotions do not only involve physiological and behavioral aspects, but also include cognitive aspects. That is, thoughts, values and beliefs about the world also have an important role in relation to the emotions we feel since they determine the way we interpret them.
There are also various theories that have become popular. One of the most accepted proposals currently is that there are two types of emotions: universal ones, which we share with all mammals, and complex ones, which are specific to human beings.
Starting from the main aspects presented above, in this section we will focus on reflecting the main differences between motivation and emotion.
1. Origin
As mentioned above, motivation is an internal process that takes place based on specific needs or desires and that initiates, guides and maintains our behavior towards a certain objective. The duration will depend on the goal to be achieved.
On the other hand, Emotions are automatic psychophysiological responses that occur when faced with certain internal or external stimuli. The duration of basic emotions is usually short, although the intensity can be high. The goal is to provide information about the environment and internal states to mobilize us toward action.
2. Function
We could say that motivation acts as an internal guide that triggers, guides and maintains certain behaviors to satisfy our needs and desires. On the contrary, emotions help us adapt to our environment by transmitting information, whether through verbal or non-verbal communication.
3. Demonstration
We can also see differences in the way of expressing themselves. Motivation is appreciated through actions aimed at achieving objectives and involves cognitive processes such as planning, goal setting, decision making, among others.
Emotions, on the other hand, are expressed through gestures, tone of voice, facial or body expressions, and at a cognitive level it involves processes such as analysis, judgment, interpretation, etc. On a physiological level, they have a clear impact since they generate instantaneous and different changes depending on each emotion.
How are they related?
Despite having widely insisted on the differences between both terms, it is undeniable that there is an interrelation between the two. Without a doubt, the emotions we experience interfere with achieving our goals and also play an important role in people’s motivation.
That is to say, Simplifying greatly, we can consider that emotions are a kind of internal compass that tells us when things are going “good” or “bad” and this may or may not awaken the motivation to make certain changes.
