The motivational cycle is a key concept that explains how individuals are motivated to meet their needs. At its core, the cycle revolves around four distinct stages: need, drive, goal-directed behavior, and goal achievement. These stages respond to imbalances in the body or mind, prompting actions that restore balance.

The cycle begins with a need. This need can arise from various conditions, such as hunger, thirst, or temperature changes. For instance, when an individual feels cold, their body signals a need for warmth. This need triggers a drive, creating an internal state of tension that pushes the person to act. The drive is the motivational force that pushes the individual to engage in goal-directed behavior.

Goal-directed behavior is an action intended to resolve the tension caused by the drive. In the case of feeling cold, an individual may put on a sweater or increase the room's temperature. Upon achieving the goal — restoring warmth — the need is satisfied, and the drive subsides. This allows the body to return to balance.

While physiological needs primarily drive the motivational cycle, external incentives, such as monetary rewards or social praise, can also instigate similar motivational processes. In these cases, behavior is driven not by internal deficiencies but by external stimuli, highlighting the complexity of human motivation and the role of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors in influencing behavior.