Can motivate be used as a negative word?
up vote
2
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favorite
Can the word "motivate"be used in a negative situation?
For example,
"the Stamp Act motivated people to voice their opposition"
negation
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
Can the word "motivate"be used in a negative situation?
For example,
"the Stamp Act motivated people to voice their opposition"
negation
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
1
If people were opposed to the Stamp Act, and voiced their opposition, that action would have seemed "positive" to them (it was done in accordance with their beliefs).
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 20:28
2
Voicing opposition is not negative.
– Lambie
Dec 1 at 20:37
1
I am opposed to Brexit, and voice my opposition at every opportunity, and it feels very positive.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 21:02
i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4a/1f/…
– Richard
Dec 2 at 10:23
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
Can the word "motivate"be used in a negative situation?
For example,
"the Stamp Act motivated people to voice their opposition"
negation
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
Can the word "motivate"be used in a negative situation?
For example,
"the Stamp Act motivated people to voice their opposition"
negation
negation
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
asked Dec 1 at 19:46
userash
191
191
1
If people were opposed to the Stamp Act, and voiced their opposition, that action would have seemed "positive" to them (it was done in accordance with their beliefs).
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 20:28
2
Voicing opposition is not negative.
– Lambie
Dec 1 at 20:37
1
I am opposed to Brexit, and voice my opposition at every opportunity, and it feels very positive.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 21:02
i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4a/1f/…
– Richard
Dec 2 at 10:23
add a comment |
1
If people were opposed to the Stamp Act, and voiced their opposition, that action would have seemed "positive" to them (it was done in accordance with their beliefs).
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 20:28
2
Voicing opposition is not negative.
– Lambie
Dec 1 at 20:37
1
I am opposed to Brexit, and voice my opposition at every opportunity, and it feels very positive.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 21:02
i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4a/1f/…
– Richard
Dec 2 at 10:23
1
1
If people were opposed to the Stamp Act, and voiced their opposition, that action would have seemed "positive" to them (it was done in accordance with their beliefs).
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 20:28
If people were opposed to the Stamp Act, and voiced their opposition, that action would have seemed "positive" to them (it was done in accordance with their beliefs).
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 20:28
2
2
Voicing opposition is not negative.
– Lambie
Dec 1 at 20:37
Voicing opposition is not negative.
– Lambie
Dec 1 at 20:37
1
1
I am opposed to Brexit, and voice my opposition at every opportunity, and it feels very positive.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 21:02
I am opposed to Brexit, and voice my opposition at every opportunity, and it feels very positive.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 21:02
i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4a/1f/…
– Richard
Dec 2 at 10:23
i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4a/1f/…
– Richard
Dec 2 at 10:23
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
The verb 'motivate' can simply mean to "influence a person or people to do something", with no "positive" or "negative" meaning:
to cause someone to behave in a particular way
However, it is often used to describe efforts to make people do more, do better, or make positive choices, and "motivational" speeches, posters, slogans, etc, are used for that kind of purpose:
to make someone want to do something well
Motivate (Cambridge Dictionary)
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
"Motivation" is a neutral term. The same set of circumstances can be said to motivate someone to do either positive or negative acts.
Extreme poverty motivated her to start her own business.
Extreme poverty motivated her to commit several robberies.
In any case, "voicing opposition" is not normally considered a negative act. As with "motivate" it's a neutral expression whose connotations depend on the exact circumstances of the opposition.
For example, in the TV series "The Simpsons" the misanthropic owner of the town's nuclear power plant often voices his opposition to things like charity or quality of life, which most would consider to be a "negative" opinion:
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
"In any case, 'voicing opposition' is not normally considered a negative act." That entirely depends on the location and on the context. I think we should leave this borderline political statement out of it! The rest of your answer is great.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 0:58
@LightnessRacesinOrbit There's nothing "political" about it, as the mere act of "voicing opposition" is never considered in and of itself to be negative. As with "motivate", it is a neutral term that relies entirely on context to be negative or positive. But I will clarify this in my answer.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 6:30
Voicing opposition may certainly be considered generally negative in some value systems.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 15:00
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Certainly if you believe so, provide an example.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 15:37
@Andrew - maybe some people think that support [of anything] is somehow "positive" and opposition [to anything] is somehow "negative" in some narrow sense?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 3 at 22:05
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Yes. Although motivation has a positive connotation, for instance when we would talk about the reasons a murderer murdered someone, we would talk about his motives. In a similar sense, politicians often advocate their policy as meant to diminish certain motivations, such as the motivation to misuse social benefits.
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
The verb 'motivate' can simply mean to "influence a person or people to do something", with no "positive" or "negative" meaning:
to cause someone to behave in a particular way
However, it is often used to describe efforts to make people do more, do better, or make positive choices, and "motivational" speeches, posters, slogans, etc, are used for that kind of purpose:
to make someone want to do something well
Motivate (Cambridge Dictionary)
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
The verb 'motivate' can simply mean to "influence a person or people to do something", with no "positive" or "negative" meaning:
to cause someone to behave in a particular way
However, it is often used to describe efforts to make people do more, do better, or make positive choices, and "motivational" speeches, posters, slogans, etc, are used for that kind of purpose:
to make someone want to do something well
Motivate (Cambridge Dictionary)
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
The verb 'motivate' can simply mean to "influence a person or people to do something", with no "positive" or "negative" meaning:
to cause someone to behave in a particular way
However, it is often used to describe efforts to make people do more, do better, or make positive choices, and "motivational" speeches, posters, slogans, etc, are used for that kind of purpose:
to make someone want to do something well
Motivate (Cambridge Dictionary)
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
The verb 'motivate' can simply mean to "influence a person or people to do something", with no "positive" or "negative" meaning:
to cause someone to behave in a particular way
However, it is often used to describe efforts to make people do more, do better, or make positive choices, and "motivational" speeches, posters, slogans, etc, are used for that kind of purpose:
to make someone want to do something well
Motivate (Cambridge Dictionary)
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
answered Dec 1 at 20:05
Michael Harvey
11.7k11128
11.7k11128
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
"Motivation" is a neutral term. The same set of circumstances can be said to motivate someone to do either positive or negative acts.
Extreme poverty motivated her to start her own business.
Extreme poverty motivated her to commit several robberies.
In any case, "voicing opposition" is not normally considered a negative act. As with "motivate" it's a neutral expression whose connotations depend on the exact circumstances of the opposition.
For example, in the TV series "The Simpsons" the misanthropic owner of the town's nuclear power plant often voices his opposition to things like charity or quality of life, which most would consider to be a "negative" opinion:
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
"In any case, 'voicing opposition' is not normally considered a negative act." That entirely depends on the location and on the context. I think we should leave this borderline political statement out of it! The rest of your answer is great.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 0:58
@LightnessRacesinOrbit There's nothing "political" about it, as the mere act of "voicing opposition" is never considered in and of itself to be negative. As with "motivate", it is a neutral term that relies entirely on context to be negative or positive. But I will clarify this in my answer.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 6:30
Voicing opposition may certainly be considered generally negative in some value systems.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 15:00
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Certainly if you believe so, provide an example.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 15:37
@Andrew - maybe some people think that support [of anything] is somehow "positive" and opposition [to anything] is somehow "negative" in some narrow sense?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 3 at 22:05
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
"Motivation" is a neutral term. The same set of circumstances can be said to motivate someone to do either positive or negative acts.
Extreme poverty motivated her to start her own business.
Extreme poverty motivated her to commit several robberies.
In any case, "voicing opposition" is not normally considered a negative act. As with "motivate" it's a neutral expression whose connotations depend on the exact circumstances of the opposition.
For example, in the TV series "The Simpsons" the misanthropic owner of the town's nuclear power plant often voices his opposition to things like charity or quality of life, which most would consider to be a "negative" opinion:
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
"In any case, 'voicing opposition' is not normally considered a negative act." That entirely depends on the location and on the context. I think we should leave this borderline political statement out of it! The rest of your answer is great.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 0:58
@LightnessRacesinOrbit There's nothing "political" about it, as the mere act of "voicing opposition" is never considered in and of itself to be negative. As with "motivate", it is a neutral term that relies entirely on context to be negative or positive. But I will clarify this in my answer.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 6:30
Voicing opposition may certainly be considered generally negative in some value systems.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 15:00
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Certainly if you believe so, provide an example.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 15:37
@Andrew - maybe some people think that support [of anything] is somehow "positive" and opposition [to anything] is somehow "negative" in some narrow sense?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 3 at 22:05
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
"Motivation" is a neutral term. The same set of circumstances can be said to motivate someone to do either positive or negative acts.
Extreme poverty motivated her to start her own business.
Extreme poverty motivated her to commit several robberies.
In any case, "voicing opposition" is not normally considered a negative act. As with "motivate" it's a neutral expression whose connotations depend on the exact circumstances of the opposition.
For example, in the TV series "The Simpsons" the misanthropic owner of the town's nuclear power plant often voices his opposition to things like charity or quality of life, which most would consider to be a "negative" opinion:
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
"Motivation" is a neutral term. The same set of circumstances can be said to motivate someone to do either positive or negative acts.
Extreme poverty motivated her to start her own business.
Extreme poverty motivated her to commit several robberies.
In any case, "voicing opposition" is not normally considered a negative act. As with "motivate" it's a neutral expression whose connotations depend on the exact circumstances of the opposition.
For example, in the TV series "The Simpsons" the misanthropic owner of the town's nuclear power plant often voices his opposition to things like charity or quality of life, which most would consider to be a "negative" opinion:
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
edited Dec 2 at 6:32
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
answered Dec 1 at 22:29
Andrew
65k674144
65k674144
"In any case, 'voicing opposition' is not normally considered a negative act." That entirely depends on the location and on the context. I think we should leave this borderline political statement out of it! The rest of your answer is great.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 0:58
@LightnessRacesinOrbit There's nothing "political" about it, as the mere act of "voicing opposition" is never considered in and of itself to be negative. As with "motivate", it is a neutral term that relies entirely on context to be negative or positive. But I will clarify this in my answer.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 6:30
Voicing opposition may certainly be considered generally negative in some value systems.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 15:00
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Certainly if you believe so, provide an example.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 15:37
@Andrew - maybe some people think that support [of anything] is somehow "positive" and opposition [to anything] is somehow "negative" in some narrow sense?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 3 at 22:05
add a comment |
"In any case, 'voicing opposition' is not normally considered a negative act." That entirely depends on the location and on the context. I think we should leave this borderline political statement out of it! The rest of your answer is great.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 0:58
@LightnessRacesinOrbit There's nothing "political" about it, as the mere act of "voicing opposition" is never considered in and of itself to be negative. As with "motivate", it is a neutral term that relies entirely on context to be negative or positive. But I will clarify this in my answer.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 6:30
Voicing opposition may certainly be considered generally negative in some value systems.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 15:00
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Certainly if you believe so, provide an example.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 15:37
@Andrew - maybe some people think that support [of anything] is somehow "positive" and opposition [to anything] is somehow "negative" in some narrow sense?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 3 at 22:05
"In any case, 'voicing opposition' is not normally considered a negative act." That entirely depends on the location and on the context. I think we should leave this borderline political statement out of it! The rest of your answer is great.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 0:58
"In any case, 'voicing opposition' is not normally considered a negative act." That entirely depends on the location and on the context. I think we should leave this borderline political statement out of it! The rest of your answer is great.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 0:58
@LightnessRacesinOrbit There's nothing "political" about it, as the mere act of "voicing opposition" is never considered in and of itself to be negative. As with "motivate", it is a neutral term that relies entirely on context to be negative or positive. But I will clarify this in my answer.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 6:30
@LightnessRacesinOrbit There's nothing "political" about it, as the mere act of "voicing opposition" is never considered in and of itself to be negative. As with "motivate", it is a neutral term that relies entirely on context to be negative or positive. But I will clarify this in my answer.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 6:30
Voicing opposition may certainly be considered generally negative in some value systems.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 15:00
Voicing opposition may certainly be considered generally negative in some value systems.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 2 at 15:00
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Certainly if you believe so, provide an example.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 15:37
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Certainly if you believe so, provide an example.
– Andrew
Dec 2 at 15:37
@Andrew - maybe some people think that support [of anything] is somehow "positive" and opposition [to anything] is somehow "negative" in some narrow sense?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 3 at 22:05
@Andrew - maybe some people think that support [of anything] is somehow "positive" and opposition [to anything] is somehow "negative" in some narrow sense?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 3 at 22:05
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Yes. Although motivation has a positive connotation, for instance when we would talk about the reasons a murderer murdered someone, we would talk about his motives. In a similar sense, politicians often advocate their policy as meant to diminish certain motivations, such as the motivation to misuse social benefits.
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Yes. Although motivation has a positive connotation, for instance when we would talk about the reasons a murderer murdered someone, we would talk about his motives. In a similar sense, politicians often advocate their policy as meant to diminish certain motivations, such as the motivation to misuse social benefits.
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Yes. Although motivation has a positive connotation, for instance when we would talk about the reasons a murderer murdered someone, we would talk about his motives. In a similar sense, politicians often advocate their policy as meant to diminish certain motivations, such as the motivation to misuse social benefits.
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
Yes. Although motivation has a positive connotation, for instance when we would talk about the reasons a murderer murdered someone, we would talk about his motives. In a similar sense, politicians often advocate their policy as meant to diminish certain motivations, such as the motivation to misuse social benefits.
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
answered Dec 1 at 20:46
Probably
6741127
6741127
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
If people were opposed to the Stamp Act, and voiced their opposition, that action would have seemed "positive" to them (it was done in accordance with their beliefs).
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 20:28
2
Voicing opposition is not negative.
– Lambie
Dec 1 at 20:37
1
I am opposed to Brexit, and voice my opposition at every opportunity, and it feels very positive.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 1 at 21:02
i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4a/1f/…
– Richard
Dec 2 at 10:23