ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Motivation theory

Motivation theory is like trying to understand why you want to do things or why you don't want to do things. Have you ever felt really excited about doing something, or really not excited about doing something, but you're not sure why? That's where motivation theory comes in!

It's like trying to solve a puzzle to figure out what makes people do what they do. There are lots of different ideas and theories about motivation, but here are a few important ones to understand:

- Drive theory: This is the idea that we are motivated by our basic needs, like hunger or thirst. When we have a need, it creates a "drive" inside us to do something to meet that need. For example, if you're hungry, you might feel driven to go find food to eat.
- Incentive theory: This theory says that we are motivated by rewards or incentives. If we know we'll get something good (like a prize or a treat) for doing something, we'll be more motivated to do it.
- Self-determination theory: This theory is all about feeling like we have control over our own lives. When we feel like we have choices and can make our own decisions, we feel more motivated to do things.

There are lots of other ideas and theories about motivation, but these are just a few examples. Understanding motivation theory can help you figure out why you want to do certain things, and how you can motivate yourself (or others) to do things you might not want to do at first.