The need hierarchy theory is attributed to psychologist Abraham Maslow and describes what he calls the hierarchy of human needs. Maslow explains that it is human to have needs and desires. When we have a need that is unsatisfied, we are motivated to act in a way that will satisfy that need. If we feel satisfied in our needs, we will not be motivated to make a chance in our behavior. What may be considered a need for one person, may not be a need for another person; and so Maslow also explains that each individual arranges their needs according to order of importance. The most basic needs are considered the most motivating to ensure remain safe, while the more complex desires fall further down on the list.

Many times, an individual's personality begins to show as we struggle to obtain the wants and needs that are higher up in our need hierarchy. Differences between what motivates people to do the more mundane tasks of life often find away to become attributed to one's character. In the motivational theory called the hierarchy of human needs, the most basic need is physiological (primal needs like the need for food and water). The next needs in order of decreasing essentiality and increasing complexity are: safety, belonging-ness, esteem, and self actualization. Self actualization refers to the fulfilling of one's individual potential, a goal that most individuals strive for their whole lives to achieve.

Maslow was not the only theorist who wrote about motivation. Frederick Herzberg came up with what is called the two factor theory. Herzberg's focus was on intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Herzberg distinguished between motivators and other factors. Motivators must provide some sort of positive satisfaction. Other factors that are not motivators may be present in a goal or other situation but do not always result in satisfaction and may actually result in de-motivation. The example of hygiene is given to illustrate the concept of de-motivation. When goof hygiene is present it doesn't necessarily make you healthier, but if not present you could become ill.

Clayton Alderfer also expanded on Maslow's initial needs hierarchy theory when he created the ERG theory which stands for existence, relatedness and growth. The connection to Maslow is that Alderfer re organizes and categorizes Maslow's basic needs. Physiological and safety needs are placed in the existence category. Love and self esteem needs are placed in the relatedness category. The growth category contains our self-actualization and self-esteem needs.

Of course, there are more scientific motivational theories than can be mentioned here in this short introduction. But what all of these theories have in common is that there are explanations for why some projects or goals are more motivating to accomplish and achieve, than are others.

This is because our perceptions of factors that encourage motivation are determined by highly personal factors including up-bringing, environment, and lifestyle choices. Additionally, the differences between the need for extrinsic and intrinsic motivation are important to understand if you are going to establish rewards for yourself that you will be willing to work towards.