This book explores how and why humans are motivated to act in the ways that they do. The chapters examine the origins of a given action rather than their superficial appearance, which can often  be misleading. Kovac integrates the existing knowledge of the field of motivation into a greater theoretical framework by adopting both analytical and holistic perspectives.

This theoretical framework suggests that all human behaviour evolves from the three fundamental underlying tendencies connected to the concepts of control, affiliation and self-expression that are further modified by the mechanism of balanced dual tension. These tendencies are conceptualised as systems of interrelated psychological needs that guide and govern a variety of human actions.

Velibor Bobo Kovac is a Professor at the Department of Education at the University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway, where he teaches courses in psychology, special education, research methods and history of education. His research interests include studies on addictive behaviours, motivational theory and assessments of student behaviours in various contexts.