the reason underlying a person's actions and which explains them. This may be an emotion or an objective. It may be conscious or unconscious. An important factor in characterisation and also in the spectator's participation. (Lavandier, 2005)
processes that give behavior its energy and direction. Energy implies that behavior has strength—that it is relatively strong, intense, and persistent. Direction implies that behavior has purpose—that it is aimed or guided toward achieving some particular goal or outcome. [...] The processes that energize and direct behavior emanate from forces in the individual [i.e. motives] and in the environment [external environmental, social, and cultural offerings that attract or repel the individual to engage or to not engage in a particular course of action]. (Reeve, 2008, p. 8)
