Motivational Systems

Throughout decades of research, motivation remains a vital part of psychology and other areas of the behavioural sciences. Frederick Toates explores this important psychological and biological process through an integrative account of how internal and external influences shape the decision making that guides and activates behaviour. Now extensively updated and expanded for modern readership, this textbook is equally accessible to undergraduates and engaging for academics. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and ethology, it presents a uniquely synthesised perspective of what motivates us. The chapters pull together diverse phenomena under one conceptual roof, including newly examined causes of behaviour such as the motivation associated with pain. Richly illustrated with personal anecdotes and examples from leading figures in the behavioural sciences, the text is accompanied by a test bank. This clear and supportive guide reveals how motivation systems take shape from the interactions between brain, body, and environment.

Frederick Toates is emeritus professor of Biological Psychology at The Open University, United Kingdom. He is the author of Motivational Systems (1986), Understanding Sexual Serial Killing (2022, with Olga Coschug-Toates), and How Sexual Desire Works: The Enigmatic Urge (2014), which received the 2015 Prose Award from the Association of American Publishers.