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Toward a comprehensive taxonomy of human motives

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  • Jennifer R Talevich
  • Stephen J Read
  • David A Walsh
  • Ravi Iyer
  • Gurveen Chopra

Abstract

A major success in personality has been the development of a consensual structure of traits. However, much less progress has been made on the structure of an equally important aspect of human psychology: motives. We present an empirically and theoretically structured hierarchical taxonomy of 161 motives gleaned from a literature review from McDougall to the present and based on the cluster analysis of similarity judgments among these 161 motives, a broader sampling of motives than previous work. At the broadest level were: Meaning, Communion, and Agency. These divided into nine clusters: Morality & Virtue, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Actualization, Avoidance, Social Relating, Family, Health, Mastery & Competence, and Financial & Occupational Success. Each divided into more concrete clusters to form 5 levels. We discuss contributions to research on motives, especially recent work on goal systems, and the aiding of communication and systematization of research. Finally, we compare the taxonomy to other motive organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer R Talevich & Stephen J Read & David A Walsh & Ravi Iyer & Gurveen Chopra, 2017. "Toward a comprehensive taxonomy of human motives," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(2), pages 1-32, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0172279
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172279
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Emmons & Chi Cheung & Keivan Tehrani, 1998. "Assessing Spirituality Through Personal Goals: Implications for Research on Religion and Subjective Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 391-422, November.
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