Motivation Sets Goals, Perceptions and Actions

Your personality shapes your actions and perceptions. For example, alcoholics often lie because they have developed a personality centered around their addiction. Similarly, those addicted to drugs like meth will say anything to achieve their goal. Motivation sets the framework for interpretation, which leads to emotions and actions. Positive emotions indicate progress, while anxiety and pain may cause us to stop or reverse. The hypothalamus controls many basic motivations, and we can avoid negative emotions by avoiding situations that trigger them.