Hands symbolizing care and power motives influencing decision making.

The Power of Kindness: How Care and Power Motives Shape Your Decisions

Kai Mendoza in Mind & Education June 2025 • 5 min read.

"Uncover the surprising ways that compassion and the drive for influence affect everything from cooperation to holding others accountable."

We often assume our decisions are based on rational thought, but what if deeper, often unconscious, motivations are at play? Motivation psychology suggests that our actions are driven by fundamental motives, like the need for affiliation, power, or achievement. These motives aren't just abstract concepts; they influence our behavior in measurable ways, even in situations involving money and social interactions. But how do distinct motives specifically shape the economic decisions we make every day?

A groundbreaking study sheds light on this question by examining the impact of two powerful motivators: Care (the desire to help others) and Power (the need for control and status). Researchers explored how inducing these motives could influence our choices in classic economic scenarios. They sought to discover if activating these distinct psychological drives could lead to predictable patterns in our decisions, particularly those related to cooperation and punishment.

This article dives into the fascinating findings of this research, revealing how care and power motives can act as hidden forces, subtly guiding our behavior in ways we might not even realize. Understanding these influences can provide valuable insights into our own decision-making processes and the social dynamics that shape our world.

Care vs. Power: Understanding the Motives

Hands symbolizing care and power motives influencing decision making.

Before diving into the study's results, it's essential to understand the core concepts of care and power motives. Care encompasses the desire to help others without expecting anything in return. It's rooted in empathy, compassion, and a genuine concern for the well-being of those around us. On the other hand, the power motive centers on the need to be strong, influential, and in control of one's environment. It's linked to ambition, status, and the desire to exert influence over others.

These motives manifest in different ways. Care is often associated with feelings of warmth, affection, and a desire to nurture and support. Power, however, can be linked to increased focus, optimism, and a greater emphasis on personal gain. While seemingly opposed, both motives play a significant role in human behavior and social interactions. But are our choices based on stable pre-dispositions or can they be impacted if we are primed to think a certain way through 'Contextual Priming'?

Care: Driven by empathy and compassion, with a focus on helping others without personal gain.
Power: Motivated by control, influence, and status, with a focus on personal achievement and impact.
Evolutionary Roots: Care may stem from offspring care, while power may be linked to competing for limited resources.

The study cleverly induced these motives in participants using different techniques. The 'Care' group interacted with puppies as part of a fake therapy-dog training program, designed to evoke feelings of nurturance and compassion. The 'Power' group, on the other hand, were assigned leadership roles in a fictitious project, triggering their desire for influence and control. A control group completed a neutral task. The study was designed to uncover how these induced motives would affect decisions in economic games involving monetary exchange.

Motives Matter: Shaping a More Compassionate and Accountable World

This research provides compelling evidence that our decisions are not solely driven by rational self-interest. Instead, deeper psychological motives, like care and power, exert a significant influence on our behavior, shaping our inclination to cooperate, help others, and even hold those who violate norms accountable. By understanding these hidden forces, we can gain valuable insights into our own decision-making processes and develop strategies to foster more compassionate and responsible behavior in ourselves and others. Whether in business, personal relationships, or broader social contexts, recognizing the power of motives can help us create a more caring and accountable world.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the core difference between the Care and Power motives?

The core difference lies in their fundamental drivers. The **Care** motive is rooted in empathy and compassion, focused on helping others without expecting anything in return. Conversely, the **Power** motive centers on the need for control, influence, and status, with a focus on personal achievement and impact. The **Care** motive is associated with warmth and affection, while the **Power** motive is linked to increased focus and emphasis on personal gain. Both are fundamental to human behavior, shaping social interactions, and decision-making processes.

How did the study induce the Care and Power motives in participants?

The study utilized specific techniques to activate the **Care** and **Power** motives. The 'Care' group interacted with puppies in a simulated therapy-dog training program to evoke feelings of nurturance and compassion. The 'Power' group, on the other hand, were assigned leadership roles in a fictitious project, triggering their desire for influence and control. A control group completed a neutral task, and the study measured the impact of these induced motives on economic decisions in games involving money.

What role do the Care and Power motives play in economic decisions, according to the research?

The research demonstrates that decisions are not solely driven by rational self-interest. The **Care** and **Power** motives significantly influence behavior, impacting cooperation, helping others, and accountability. The **Care** motive is expected to increase cooperation and helping behavior, while the **Power** motive might influence decisions related to control, fairness, and punishment. Understanding these motives helps us see beyond rational choices, recognizing the underlying psychological forces at play in everyday economic and social situations.

What are the evolutionary roots of the Care and Power motives?

The **Care** motive, rooted in empathy and compassion, may stem from the need for offspring care, ensuring the survival of the next generation. The **Power** motive, linked to control and influence, may be related to competing for limited resources, which is essential for survival and reproductive success. These evolutionary roots suggest that both motives are deeply ingrained in human nature, shaping our social behavior and decision-making processes over time. Understanding these roots offers insights into why we are wired to respond to **Care** and **Power**.

How can understanding the Care and Power motives contribute to creating a more compassionate and accountable world?

Recognizing the impact of **Care** and **Power** motives can help create a more compassionate and accountable world by providing insights into our own decision-making processes and the social dynamics that shape our interactions. By understanding the forces that drive our choices, we can develop strategies to foster more compassionate and responsible behavior. In various contexts, such as business, personal relationships, and social environments, this knowledge can lead to decisions that prioritize empathy, cooperation, and the well-being of others, promoting greater accountability and a more caring society. The study emphasizes that these hidden forces are important to understanding how societies are structured.