Perusmotivaation

Perusmotivaation, or basic motivation, is a term used in Finnish psychology and education to describe the underlying, enduring drive that governs behavior across tasks and contexts. It refers to the motivational base that persists beyond short-term rewards and can shape long-term engagement in activities such as learning, work, and personal development.

Root concepts come from motivation theory and Self-Determination Theory. Perusmotivaation includes intrinsic motivation—doing something for its own sake—as well as internalized forms of extrinsic motivation, where external goals have become personally important. It is fostered by the satisfaction of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, along with stable interest and value alignment with tasks and goals.

In practice, researchers view perusmotivaation as a continuum from amotivation to intrinsic motivation, with varying degrees of extrinsic motivation integrated. It can be measured using self-report scales that assess interest, perceived competence, value alignment, and persistence. Context matters: education, work, and health contexts all influence baseline motivation.

Understanding perusmotivaation helps explain why some individuals maintain effort despite obstacles and why interventions that support autonomy and competence tend to improve long-term engagement.

Because the term is not standardized across languages, definitions vary. Cultural factors, task structure, and measurement issues complicate comparisons. It is typically used as a descriptive concept alongside established theories of motivation rather than as a separate, formal theory.