The question of what motivates human behaviour has long intrigued psychologists. Various approaches are used to assess these underlying motives. The most well-known theory is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, introduced in the mid-20th century.However, most approaches emphasise the social aspects of motivation while overlooking its evolutionary underpinnings.

Is Motivation Social Or Biological?

A group of researchers at HSE University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine proposed analysing human behaviour motives from an evolutionary perspective.In the proposed framework, all motives are viewed as evolutionary adaptations that enhanced early humans’ ability to survive in their environment and continue to influence behaviour today.The scientists proceed from the premise that if certain evolutionary mechanisms once triggered specific behaviours, the underlying motives can be identified using standard psychometric techniques.

Motives As Evolutionary Adaptations

Using network analysis, the researchers identified stable clusters of motives. The study found that human behaviour is driven by 15 key motives, which can be grouped into 5 broad categories: <ol><li>environmental (Hoard, Create)</li><li>physiological (Fear, Disgust, Hunger, Comfort)</li><li>reproductive (Lust, Attract, Love, Nurture),</li><li>psychological (Curiosity, Play), and </li><li>social (Affiliate, Status, Justice). </li></ol>

Motives Form Stable Clusters

The researchers also identified functional relationships between motives, contributing to a deeper understanding of motivational structures. For example, Justice has strong ties to Nurture and Curiosity, suggesting that it is a function of both concern for the welfare of others and a need to keep abreast of where anti-social behaviours might be occurring. Interestingly, the motives of Play and Status emerged as pivotal points of connectivity, interacting extensively with other nodes, suggesting they influence a broad range of related motives.

And Then Motives Form Relationships And Structures

Status appears to be important as it facilitates the attainment of other goals by providing access to resources that enhance the chances of success in life, including attracting a partner.Maintaining status involves hoarding resources, fearing the loss of these resources, and effectively using them in various situations. The motive of play, in turn, helps develop the skills needed to maintain status and adapt to changing circumstances.

From Play To Status To… Everywhere

Using network-based psychometric techniques, researchers were able to observe how motives interrelate. For instance, the motives of Love and Nurture are positioned close to each other in the network, which makes sense from an evolutionary perspective, as caring for offspring enhances their chances of survival.Conversely, the motives of Fear and Curiosity often have opposing effects. Fear keeps us away from danger, but when excessive, it can suppress curiosity, which fosters knowledge and innovation.

How Motives Interrelate

The study also revealed age- and gender-related variations in the significance of different motives. Women tend to show a greater interest in the motives of Nurture and Comfort, while men are more likely to focus on the motives of Status and Attraction. The researchers note that these differences are linked to the traditional roles men and women played in our evolutionary past.

The Evolutionary Past Is Not So Past

Age also contributes to shaping our priorities. Younger individuals tend to be more focused on Status and Play, while as people age, Fear and concern for Comfort become more prominent. These changes reflect different life stages: initially, we strive to secure our place in society, and later, we focus on safety and survival.

Physiological Beginning, Physiological Ending

Analysis shows that all 15 of the identified motives can be isolated, that they show expected relationships to one another (based on common functionality), and that differences in attentiveness to motives by gender reflect traditional gender-based role-play during human evolution, while differences by age are consistent with expectations from life history theory.Ultimately, understanding the evolutionary motives that drive our behaviour enables us to create solutions that make people’s lives more comfortable, safer, and more interesting.

Creating Solutions From The Adaptations That Created Us

Researchers analyzed human motivation from an evolutionary perspective, identifying 15 key motives that drive behavior. These motives, grouped into 5 categories—environmental, physiological, reproductive, psychological, and social—reflect adaptations that helped early humans survive.

Researchers analyzed human motivation from an evolutionary perspective, identifying 15 key motives that drive behavior.

Understand yourself and those around you.

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Psychology

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Marketing & Sales

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Product & Design

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Human Resources

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Science & Nature

15 Key Motives Drive Human Behavior

This is the conclusion that Judith Mangelsdorf, Germany’s pioneering professor of positive psychology, reached while helping individuals across Europe lead better lives. Although we strive to seek it in ourselves, happiness, says Mangelsdorf, is often found in our connection with others. Echoing the words of her mentor Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology, Mangelsdorf asserts that the single most effective way to improve our mood when we feel down is to help someone else. Even the smallest step to foster connection can turn into a significant investment in our well-being.

Our Quest For Happiness Is Often Misguided

There is a common misconception that positive psychology overlooks human suffering and focuses solely on the favorable aspects of life. In reality, as Mangelsdorf explains, the scope of positive psychology research is far more balanced than is often presumed. “The word 'positive' in positive psychology refers to what is needed for fostering positive development in one’s circumstances, regardless of one’s starting point, whether as an individual, an organization or a country.”

What It Is To Overlook And What To Have An Outlook

Post-traumatic growth, as the term suggests, is predicated on experiencing trauma. However, is suffering always necessary for growth? Research shows that highly positive experiences can lead to as much growth as highly negative events, provided we find meaning in them. There is, indeed, a phenomenon of post-ecstatic growth. Yet, we often overlook positive events as opportunities for personal development, both individually and on a societal level.

Research Finding 1: Post-traumatic Growth

Reflect on the most positive experiences in your life. What lessons have you gained from them? How can you use these insights to improve your well-being and those of others? This message is empowering, as it highlights that life, in its entirety, has the potential to foster our growth. Both our challenges and triumphs can contribute to our development as human beings.

Implications

We often view resilience as a set of necessary and universal components (e.g., traits, skills, or circumstances) that individuals must possess or apply to recover from setbacks. While certain factors (e.g., good relationships) are undoubtedly beneficial, there are no definitive answers to what makes people resilient. A recent study by Bonano (2024) suggests that resilience is a highly individualistic concept. In fact, much of what constitutes resilience is not understood by researchers. Instead, resilience can be seen as a constellation of unique factors that may vary for each person.

Research Finding 2: Resilience (part 1)

Think of a time when you went through a challenging experience. Although things were difficult, you felt that you could handle the situation. You had a sense of self-efficacy and were able to maintain your psychological well-being. What helped you? Asking this question to 10 different people could reveal 10 different answers. It’s crucial for each of us to explore what helps us personally to build confidence in our ability to bounce back and recover from setbacks.

For resilience researcher Michael Ungar, resilience is not a DIY endeavor, but rather, a dynamic process that involves the outside world. As such, resilience is not entirely dependent on being “rugged,” but more on being “resourced.” This means that, in order to cope with difficult situations, resilient people are able to navigate towards the resources that they need. Consider the story of Cinderella. While we commonly attribute her triumph over her unfortunate circumstances to her personal characteristics, Ungar reminds us of another key factor of her resilience: the fairy Godmother.

Research Finding 3: Resilience (part 2)

Don’t underestimate the role of outside support in igniting your inner strengths. Whenever you feel that you’re not coping well with a challenging situation, don’t judge or blame yourself. Instead, it might be a question of missing resources. Or, perhaps, you have the resources (for example, friends that you can count on), but you are not using them (you don’t reach out). Instead, ask yourself: <ul><li>What do I need to handle the situation better? </li><li>If I have what I need, how can I integrate it into my circumstances? </li><li>If I don’t have what I need, who can I ask for help? </li></ul>

In his Compassion Focused Therapy (2014), psychologist Paul Gilbert identified 3 different emotion regulation systems:<ol><li>Threat-protection system (involved in detecting and responding to threats, common emotions of this system are anger, anxiety, disgust)</li><li>Positive affects of seeking, achieving and acquiring (positive emotions that are stimulating and activating, such as joy, vitality and excitement)</li><li>Positive affects of contentment, safeness, peacefulness, and affiliation (a state of calm and restful well-being where one is not under threat nor trying to achieve something). </li></ol>

4. Self-compassion

Depending on our biology and experiences, people tend to default to different states. Sometimes, we can feel stuck in one of these states.Whenever we experience psychological unease, it can be helpful to intentionally check in with our minds and bodies. We first need to understand where we are, before we can determine what we need to move to another state.

Here are three suggestions from Paul Gilbert for how to do that. <ol><li>Identify where you are. </li><li>Appreciate where you are, without judgment. </li><li>Navigate to another state. </li></ol>While we strive to leave the difficult emotional states as quickly as possible, simply attending to our suffering with tenderness can often help us move through it.

Check-In In Order To To Check-Out

Typically, we reach for psychological remedies for our unhappiness. But when someone asks me, “What should I do to become happy?” I tell them to consider their sleep, what they eat, and how much they exercise. Change your basic health habits first. If you still feel unhappy afterwards, we can then explore your psychology.

Research Finding 5: Take Care of Your Body

If you want to feel better, start by focusing on your body. We often over-psychologize problems that arise from spending countless hours in front of screens, instead of engaging in activities our brains and bodies were designed for. Research consistently demonstrates the link between our physical and mental well-being. In fact, one of the most intriguing findings in psychology is that exercise can be as effective against depression as antidepressants. Making small adjustments to our daily routine to support good sleep, nutrition , and exercise can make a significant difference for our minds.

A good life is one lived in such a way that, if I were to die tomorrow, I would be at peace with it. A good life is one that contributes to the well-being of others. A good life is balanced, allowing space for both joy and suffering. It involves acknowledging the bad while also appreciating the good, embracing the entirety of life without judgment.

What is A Good Life?

Consider Cinderella and the fairy Godmother.

Positive psychology research can help us lead better lives. Here are examples from studies on post-traumatic growth, resilience, and self-compassion.

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Mental Health

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Love & Relationships

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Teamwork

5 Positive Psychology Findings for a Happier Life

People frequently get what they deserve, but it doesn’t feel like it because the unspoken rule is that you only deserve it if you have(1) the courage to attempt it(2) the guts to ask for it, and(3) the willingness try again when it doesn’t work out the first time.

If you do not bend, you will break. The adaptable prevail. Determined, but flexible.

Whether a decision is good or bad can change based on how you act after the choice is made.You can’t learn all the lessons beforehand. You learn a lot about what you want in a marriage after getting married. You discover what type of career you enjoy after doing a lot of work. […] In many cases, what you wish you knew ahead of time can only be learned after the decision is made.So there is nothing left but to pay attention to what you like, continue to iterate, and commit to making the most of each opportunity. There is no perfect decision. Good decisions are made right after the fact.

If you make lists of lofty goals, it can be easy to leave them to accumulate, as happens sometimes, into a mountain of to-do’s and notes and half-forgotten plans. Dreaming alone is seductive, even a little sweet, since it lacks the pain of trying. So it feels proper to prize attempts more than dreams. You should have ideals, but you cannot only love an idealized future, you must cultivate a love of effort, too. If you really want something, then the soul must make demands of the body.

It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?

Henry David Thoreau on being effective, not merely efficient:
“It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?”

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Productivity

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Personal Development

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Motivation & Inspiration

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Habits

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Time Management

3-2-1 Thursday: On Getting What We Deserve, The Power of Flexibility, and How Good Decisions Are Made

Leadership is having a vision. What’s my goal. Part two is getting to know the people who are working with me, and what their goals are.And then the real definition of leadership is making those two merge.

“Create win-win situations for all”. - Charlie Munger

Mark Cuban joins 'The Draymond Green Show' to discuss dropping out of high school, selling his first business for billions, joining 'Shark Tank,’ why he sold the Dallas Mavericks, the upcoming NBA TV deal, having the largest bill in LIV nightclub history after winning the NBA Finals with Dirk Nowitzki, how Cuban pulled off drafting Luka Doncic, why Kyrie Irving is misunderstood, the “We Believe” Warriors, losing out on Steve Nash, a funny Shaq story, and more. 00:00 - Start08:00 - Shark Tank13:00 - Buying Mavericks24:00 - Selling Mavs41:00 - LIV nightclub42:00 - Acquiring Luka50:00 - Trading for Kyrie01:00:00 - We Believe Warriors Produced by: Jackson Safon #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Business

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Podcasts

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Leadership & Management

The world's best basketball podcast just got even better. NBA superstar and 4x champ Draymond Green has a new co-host: 2x All Star Baron Davis. Twice a week, they deliver their no-holds-barred takes on the biggest stories in basketball, break down the latest with the Golden State Warriors, and share never-before-heard stories from on and off the court. It's the most raw, entertaining, and hilarious conversation in the game.

The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis

Draymond Green Show - Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban: Leaders Make Goals Merge

If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, “Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

Do each and every thing so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say how well you’re doing it.

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Philosophy

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History

Martin Luther King Jr.: Excellence and Greatness Are Habits

For many, compliments are paradoxically both uplifting and unsettling. A kind word about our achievements, talents, or even our appearance can feel undeserved or insincere. This discomfort often stems from deep-rooted insecurities or the nagging voice of imposter feelings, which convince us that we aren’t as competent or worthy as others perceive.Psychologists attribute this discomfort to cognitive dissonance—the mental tension that arises when our self-perception doesn’t align with how others see us.

Why Compliments Make Us Squirm

If you’re your own worst critic, hearing “You’re incredible at this” can feel jarring because it contradicts the narrative in your head that says, “I could have done better.” This clash often leads to knee-jerk reactions, like deflecting (“Oh, it was no big deal”) or dismissing (“They don’t really mean it”). While these reactions might ease our initial unease, they also prevent us from fully embracing the positive impact of kind words.

The Lightning And Thunder Of Kind Words

Research suggests this struggle is particularly pronounced for women, who are often socialized to be modest and to focus outwardly on others. Compliments, then, can feel like spotlights exposing imagined imperfections. Layer on the pressure of perfectionism that women often feel, and even a well-meaning “You’re amazing!” can feel like a reminder of our perceived shortcomings.

For Some People, A Compliment Is A Throw Into The Spotlight

Accepting compliments isn’t just about boosting our ego—it’s about fostering connection. Compliments are small acts of kindness that say, “I see you. I value you.” By brushing them off, we unintentionally dismiss the giver’s thoughtfulness and vulnerability. Moreover, learning to accept praise can help us rewrite those internal scripts of self-doubt. When we practice embracing positive feedback, we affirm not only our worth but also the relationships that give life its richness.

Why Learning to Accept Compliments Matters

If compliments make you squirm, remember you’re not alone—but there’s good news: You can train yourself to accept them with grace. Here are three practical strategies:<ol><li>Say “Thank You” and Pause</li><li>Resist the Deflection Trap </li><li>Reflect and Let It Sink In</li></ol>

How to Get Better at Receiving Compliments

The simplest way to respond to a compliment is with genuine gratitude. A heartfelt “thank you” shows you value the kind words without deflecting or diminishing them. Resist the urge to explain or downplay—just let the compliment land.Example:Compliment: “You did an amazing job on this project.”Response: “Thank you! That means a lot to me.”

1. Say “Thank You” and Pause

It’s tempting to redirect a compliment with phrases like, “Oh, it was nothing,” or “It was really a team effort.” While these responses may feel modest, they can unintentionally diminish the compliment and make the giver feel dismissed. Instead, try owning your contribution.Example:Compliment: “Your presentation was so relevant.”Deflection: “Oh, I just got lucky with the timing of the topic.”Better Response: “Thank you! I’m glad you found it valuable.”

2. Resist the Deflection Trap

Compliments often feel fleeting, but you can make them last. Take time to reflect on kind words, letting them settle in your mind. Writing compliments down can help, too—a “compliment journal” can remind you of your strengths on tougher days.Example:Compliment: “Your advice really helped me.”Reflection: Later, remind yourself, “My perspective made a difference.”

3. Reflect and Let It Sink In

One way to shift our mindset is to view compliments as gifts. When someone offers kind words, they’re sharing their positive experience of us. Accepting a compliment graciously is like saying, “Thank you for this gift—I’ll treasure it.” This reframing can help us stop seeing compliments as judgments about our worth and start seeing them as bridges of connection.

Reframing Compliments as Gifts of Connection

The next time someone offers you a kind word, try to embrace it—not just for your own benefit, but for the connection it creates. Compliments remind us that our actions and presence have meaning to others.Accepting kindness may feel awkward, even unnatural at times, but it’s an opportunity for growth. When we let compliments sink in, we’re not just acknowledging our own value—we’re also honoring the person who offered them. In doing so, we create space for deeper connection, greater joy, and more confidence —not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.

Acknowledging Ourselves And Honoring Others

“Thank you for this gift—I’ll treasure it.” When we let compliments sink in, we’re not just acknowledging our own value—we’re also honoring the person who offered them.

Why do compliments make us squirm? Uncover the psychology behind this discomfort and learn how embracing kindness can boost confidence and build stronger connections.

Kind Words, Weird Feels: The Psychology of Compliments

We used to put a premium on how much knowledge you had collected in your brain, and if you were a fact collector that made you smart and respected. And now I think it's much more valuable to be a connector of dots than a collector of facts, [I think] that if you can synthesize and recognize patterns, you have an edge.

There always was, and always will be, a collector of facts and a connector of dots, and there always was, and always will be, room and a need for both.

Sam Altman is the CEO and cofounder of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. He and Adam discuss AI's advances in creativity and empathy, its ethical challenges, and the role of human oversight. Sam and Adam also discuss strategies for adapting to a changing world and their hopes for technology that enhances human progress while maintaining human values. Available transcripts for ReThinking can be found at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Technology & The Future

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Communication

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Artificial Intelligence

As an organizational psychologist, Adam Grant believes that great minds don't think alike; they challenge each other to think differently. In Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, he has lively discussions and debates with some of the world's most interesting thinkers, creators, achievers, and leaders—from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Brené Brown to Mark Cuban, and Olympic medalists to Nobel laureates to Oscar winners. By diving inside their minds, Adam is on a mission to uncover bold insights and share surprising science that can make us all a little bit smarter. Tune in to Re:Thinking with Adam Grant. You might just be inspired to let go of some old ideas and embrace some new ones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ReThinking

Sam Altman on the future of AI and humanity

AI and Humanity: The Fact Collector and the Dot Connector

Well, luckily, I got at a very early age the idea that the safest way to try and get what you want is to try and deserve what you want. It’s such a simple idea. It’s the golden rule so to speak. You want to deliver to the world what you would buy if you were on the other end. There is no ethos, in my opinion, that is better for any lawyer or any other person to have.

By and large, the people who have this ethos win in life and they don’t win just money, just honors and emoluments. They win the respect, the deserved trust, of the people they deal with, and there is huge pleasure in life to be obtained from getting deserved trust. And so the way to get it is to deliver what you’d want to buy if the circumstances were reversed.

Read the full transcript of the "2007 USC Law School Commencement Address" by Charlie Munger.

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Corporate Culture

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Strategy

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Entrepreneurship

Charlie Munger: Success and Deservedness

Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.

Change requires a choice.  And whenever or whatever we do not choose to change, we inadvertently choose not to change.

115 likes, 3 comments - lauriebuchanan.author on April 12, 2019: ""Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan". 

Laurie Buchanan: Whatever You Are Not Changing, You Are Choosing

1. Don’t sell stuff you don’t want to buy.2. Don’t work for people you don’t want to become.3. Create win-win relationships for all.

When you start caring more about credit than truth, your judgment decays.The scientist racing to publish first overlooks crucial evidence that doesn’t fit their story. The writer chasing popularity loses what made their voice worth hearing.The strange thing is that recognition comes most reliably to those who forget about it and focus simply on seeing clearly.

15 Key Motives Drive Human Behavior

5 Positive Psychology Findings for a Happier Life

3-2-1 Thursday: On Getting What We Deserve, The Power of Flexibility, and How Good Decisions Are Made

Mark Cuban: Leaders Make Goals Merge

Martin Luther King Jr.: Excellence and Greatness Are Habits

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