General Definitions:
* Maslow (1943): "A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior toward a particular goal."
* Herzberg (1966): "The force within an individual that affects their direction, intensity, and persistence of voluntary behavior."
* Deci & Ryan (1985): "A psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal."
Focus on Internal Factors:
* Freud (1915): "The instinctual drives, especially sexual and aggressive, that motivate human behavior."
* Hull (1943): "The drive to reduce physiological needs, such as hunger, thirst, and sex."
* Skinner (1953): "The internal state of the organism that determines the probability of a behavior being emitted."
Focus on External Factors:
* Vroom (1964): "The expectation of achieving a desired outcome, multiplied by the value of that outcome."
* Bandura (1986): "The belief that one can successfully perform a behavior, and the perception of the value of the outcome."
* Locke (1990): "Goals and objectives that energize and direct behavior."
Focus on Cognitive Processes:
* Dweck (1986): "The belief about one's own abilities and the belief about the nature of intelligence."
* Weiner (1985): "The attributions that individuals make for their successes and failures."
* Bandura (1986): "The perceived self-efficacy, or belief in one's ability to succeed."
Other Notable Definitions:
* Alderfer (1969): "A process that starts with a physiological need and leads to a goal-directed behavior."
* McClelland (1961): "A need for achievement, power, or affiliation."
* Csikszentmihalyi (1990): "A state of complete absorption in an activity, also known as flow."
Note: These are just a few examples, and the definition of motivation can vary depending on the theoretical perspective and the specific context.
Beyond Definitions:
It's important to remember that motivation is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. While definitions provide a starting point, understanding the various factors that influence motivation, such as individual differences, environmental influences, and cultural norms, is essential for effective application.