Intention vs. Motive: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 28, 2024
Intention refers to a planned action or goal, while motive is the underlying reason or drive behind that action.
Key Differences
Intention relates to the specific aim or plan one has in mind when performing an action. It's about what you expect or hope to achieve through your actions. Motive, on the other hand, is the underlying reason for your action, often driven by emotional, psychological, or social factors. It explains why you have that intention in the first place.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Intention is more about the conscious aspect of planning and decision-making. When you have an intention, you are aware of what you want to do and have a clear objective in mind. Motive delves deeper into the subconscious or emotional drives that lead to forming that intention. It’s often less visible and can be complex, influenced by personal desires, fears, or societal norms.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
In legal or ethical discussions, intention is often scrutinized to understand the planned outcome of an action. It’s crucial in determining responsibility or guilt. Motive provides context or background to those intentions, offering insight into why a person chose a particular course of action. However, motive alone is not always enough to establish guilt or innocence.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Intention can change or adapt based on new information or circumstances. It's often more flexible and can be shaped by rational thought. Motive, by contrast, is usually more deeply ingrained and can be tied to core values, beliefs, or emotional states. It tends to be more stable and enduring over time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
In understanding human behavior, intention is often the starting point – what someone plans to do. Motive provides the depth, revealing the layers of reasoning or emotion that underpin those intentions. Understanding both is key to comprehensively understanding actions and behaviors.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A conscious plan or goal for action
The underlying reason driving an action
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Jan 28, 2024
Awareness
Generally conscious and deliberate
Often subconscious or emotionally driven
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Jan 28, 2024
Flexibility
Can change with circumstances
More stable and tied to deeper values
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Jan 28, 2024
Role in Behavior
Dictates the specific action to be taken
Provides the why behind the action
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Importance in Law
Central in determining the nature of an act
Considered for understanding context but not always legally binding
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Jan 28, 2024
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Intention and Motive Definitions
Intention
A plan or purpose held in the mind.
Her intention to start a business was clear when she enrolled in an entrepreneurship course.
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Jan 09, 2024
Motive
A psychological factor that compels toward a certain action.
The motive behind his hard work was to secure a better future for his family.
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Jan 09, 2024
Intention
The intended outcome or goal of an action.
The intention behind the charity event was to raise funds for the local hospital.
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Jan 09, 2024
Motive
The driving force behind an action, often linked to personal desires.
His motive for writing the book was to share his life experiences.
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Jan 09, 2024
Intention
A mental state of commitment to carrying out an action.
His intention to apologize was evident in his sincere tone.
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Jan 09, 2024
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Motive
A factor or situation inciting a person to act in a certain way.
Competition served as a motive for him to improve his skills.
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Jan 09, 2024
Intention
A person's design or resolve regarding a future action.
With the intention of becoming healthier, she started a new diet.
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Jan 09, 2024
Motive
An emotion, desire, or physiological need prompting action.
Hunger was his motive for rushing to the restaurant.
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Jan 09, 2024
Intention
The action or fact of intending
Are computers capable of intention?.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
An emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar impulse that acts as an incitement to action.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
An aim that guides action; an objective
My intention is to learn Russian.
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Intention
Intentions Purpose with respect to marriage
She worried that his intentions were not honorable.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
(Medicine) The process by which or the manner in which a wound heals.
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Motive
(obsolete) An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
A course of action that a person intends to follow.
My intention was to marry a wealthy widow.
It’s easy to promise anything when you have no intention of fulfilling any of it.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
The goal or purpose.
The intention of this legislation is to boost the economy.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
(law) Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
What would his motive be for burning down the cottage?
No-one could understand why she had hidden the shovel; her motives were obscure at best.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object or a purpose (an intent); closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.
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Intention
(obsolete) The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
(music) A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated.
If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.
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Motive
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
A motive argument
Motive power
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Intention
A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object; closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.
Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness, and of choice, fixes its view on any idea.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
A determination to act in a certain way or to do a certain thing; purpose; design; as, an intention to go to New York.
Hell is paved with good intentions.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object; motivation{2}.
By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.
In [chronical distempers], the principal intention is to restore the tone of the solid parts.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
That which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one.
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
(usually plural) the goal with respect to a marriage proposal;
His intentions are entirely honorable
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior;
We did not understand his motivation
He acted with the best of motives
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
An act of intending; a volition that you intend to carry out;
My intention changed once I saw her
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Jan 06, 2024
Intention
The aim or objective of an action.
His intention in calling the meeting was to improve team communication.
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Jan 09, 2024
Motive
Causing or able to cause motion;
A motive force
Motive power
Motor energy
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Jan 06, 2024
Motive
Impelling to action;
It may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function
Motive pleas
Motivating arguments
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Motive
An underlying reason for any action or behavior.
Her motive for volunteering was to gain more experience.
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Jan 09, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How do intentions affect behavior?
Intentions guide and shape the direction of behavior.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
How does motive differ from intention?
Motive is the underlying reason for an action, while intention is the plan for the action itself.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Are motives always conscious?
No, motives can often be subconscious or emotionally driven.
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Jan 28, 2024
Can a good action have a bad motive?
Yes, sometimes actions considered good can be driven by selfish or harmful motives.
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Jan 28, 2024
Is motive always necessary for an action?
While most actions have motives, some can be spontaneous without clear motives.
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Jan 28, 2024
Can intentions change over time?
Yes, intentions can adapt based on new information or circumstances.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Is understanding motive important in psychology?
Yes, motives provide insight into underlying reasons for behavior.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Can an action have multiple intentions?
Yes, an action can be driven by several intentions.
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Jan 28, 2024
Can someone act without intention?
Yes, actions can be reflexive or spontaneous without clear intention.
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Jan 28, 2024
Does motive play a role in legal responsibility?
While important, motive alone doesn’t always establish legal responsibility.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Do motives influence moral judgment?
Yes, understanding motives is crucial in moral and ethical evaluations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
How do lawyers use intention in cases?
Lawyers examine intentions to understand the planned outcomes of actions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Can people hide their true motives?
Yes, motives can be hidden or misrepresented.
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Jan 28, 2024
Can understanding motives prevent conflicts?
Yes, understanding underlying motives can help in conflict resolution.
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Jan 28, 2024
Is it possible to have conflicting intentions?
Yes, individuals can experience conflicting intentions.
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Jan 28, 2024
How do motives relate to desires?
Motives are often driven by personal desires or needs.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Are intentions more about planning?
Yes, intentions involve planning and decision-making.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Do intentions always lead to action?
Not always, as some intentions may not result in actual action.
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Jan 28, 2024
Are motives important in understanding human psychology?
Absolutely, as they provide depth to understanding human behavior and actions.
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Jan 28, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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