# Motivation  ## Metadata - Author: wikipedia.org - Full Title: Motivation - Category: #Source/articles - URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivation#Types_of_motivation ## Highlights - initiate, continue, or terminate a behavior at a given time ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gnqbxgp7m6xrny578q8d52d7)) - create a disposition to engage in goal-directed behavior ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gnqbxb5vcwxpd9zbnsbvxgp2)) - different [mental states](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_states) compete with each other and that only the strongest state determines behavior ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gnqby5vam5k5bpsjmxrvs5hj)) - The paradigmatic mental state providing motivation is [desire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire). But various other states, such as [beliefs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belief) about what one ought to do or [intentions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention), may also provide motivation ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gnqbyrr38y9bj2eq16jgfrhg)) - we should be motivated to perform an [action](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_(philosophy)) if we believe that we should perform it. Failing to fulfill this requirement results in cases of irrationality, known as [akrasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akrasia) or weakness of the will, in which there is a discrepancy between our beliefs about what we should do and our actions. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gnqcgq3s5zec8jfsgd0e90dh))