Introduction
The five forces model is one of the most established and well-known theories of motivation. Developed by psychotherapist and industrialist Sigmund Freud, the model seeks to explain how five distinct forces interact and drive human behavior. The five forces -- drive, pleasure, resistance, justice and order -- provide insight into why individuals are motivated to action and how individuals can be encouraged to remain motivated over the long haul. By understanding the five forces and the role they play in inspiring and sustaining motivation, business people and individuals can more effectively create feeling of enthusiasm and purpose in their own lives and the lives of others.
Drive
According to the five forces model, an individuals sexual and aggressive drives, which are impulses and desires shaped by instinct, are the primary motivators of behavior. From an evolutionary perspective, it is these biological impulses, which propel an individual to pursue food, water and shelter, that often lead to success or failure in an given endeavor. Freud believed that these instinctual drives were powerful, and should not necessarily be viewed as solely negative, despite their often-questionable connotations.
Pleasure
To Freud, pleasure was a reward rooted in a sense of narcissism and the satisfaction of being able to fulfill a desire or fantasy. In this sense, pleasure is more of a sign that needs have been achieved and is considered a motivator when there is an immediate feeling of fulfillment. For example, when an individual overcomes a difficult challenge or obstacle, or completes a task that has been postponed, a feeling of pleasure arises. In this sense, it is the feeling of mastery and accomplishment, of successfully completing a task, and is generally thought to be a positive motivator particularly at work.
Resistance
The third force in the five forces model is resistance, which is the idea that when an individual is continually challenged, he may become more determined and motivated. When an individual experiences difficulty or discomfort in the pursuit of a goal, he may take on the challenge and strive to overcome it. When the individuals threshold of resistance has been reached, however, he may become apathetic, unmotivated and lack motivation.
Justice
According to Freud, the fourth force of motivation is justice, or the idea that individuals strive to create balance and fairness in their work and personal lives. When justice is not present, individuals may become frustrated, and may seek alternative outlets for their motivations. For example, a worker whose overtime is not compensated properly may be likely to become disgruntled, seek alternative employment or simply work less hard.
Order
The last force of motivation posited by Freud is order, or the concept that individuals often take solace in having a sense of purpose or order in their lives. Individuals who find comfort in order feel that their lives are structured, and that their work is meaningful and contributes to a larger picture. When individuals are motivated by order, they are likely to feel driven and inspired to pursue their goals because of the underlying sense of meaning and purpose it brings.
Conclusion
Freuds five forces model of motivation can serve as a useful way of dismantling and understanding an individuals motivations and reasons for action. While these five forces may not be sufficient to describe the full complexity of an individuals motivations, they do provide invaluable insight into ways in which individuals can be encouraged, motivated and inspired. By recognizing and appreciating the role these five forces play in our lives, we can more effectively create incentives and cultivate enthusiasm in our professional and personal domains.
