Throughout decades of research, motivation remains a vital part of psychology and other areas of the behavioural sciences. Frederick Toates explores this important psychological and biological process through an integrative account of how internal and external influences shape the decision making that guides and activates behaviour. Now extensively updated and expanded for modern readership, this textbook is equally accessible to undergraduates and engaging for academics. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and ethology, it presents a uniquely synthesised perspective of what motivates us. The chapters pull together diverse phenomena under one conceptual roof, including newly examined causes of behaviour such as the motivation associated with pain. Richly illustrated with personal anecdotes and examples from leading figures in the behavioural sciences, the text is accompanied by a test bank. This clear and supportive guide reveals how motivation systems take shape from the interactions between brain, body, and environment.

‘In this accessible and well-balanced book, Frederick Toates offers a comprehensive account of current knowledge on motivational processes, their neurobiological substrates, and the maladaptive (addictive) consequences of excessive motivation. This masterful synthesis stands as a potential landmark in the study of this complex and fascinating field of research.’

Patrick Anselme - Principal Investigator in Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

‘Motivational Systems is a tour de force analysis of motivational processes! Frederick Toates, long recognized as a leading major motivation theorist, elegantly integrates facts and theories from psychology and neuroscience. This comprehensive book is invaluable to anyone interested in the psychology of motivation.’

Kent Berridge - James Olds Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Michigan, USA

‘Professor Frederick Toates has done it again. The original 1986 book Motivational Systems is a classic and provided a key overview of basic operations of motivational systems. Now, the updated version provides brand new insights into the critical and core operations of basic motivational systems and much more. From key animal model work to the ‘dual control of human behaviour’, Toates presents a cogent argument for keeping motivation at the forefront of behavioural and clinical neuroscience.’

Howard Casey Cromwell - Professor of Psychology and JP Scott Center for Neuroscience, Bowling Green State University, USA

‘Frederick Toates’ 1986 book profoundly influenced my understanding of motivational processes. Now, 40 years later, he provides a new and highly accessible update. Students will appreciate the clarity. More senior scholars will enjoy being reminded of important findings, and, perhaps, understanding work not fully appreciated before.’

Marco Leyton - Professor, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada

‘In Motivational Systems, Frederick Toates provides the reader with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the field of motivation covering, among others, the core concepts of arousal, addiction, attachment, and fear. Toates, an expert who has made significant contributions to the field of motivation theory himself, manages somehow to fuse a user-friendly writing style with an eye for detail. In addition to providing a deep level of understanding of the current standing of motivational systems, Toates also tackles the false dichotomies and pitfalls that students regularly pick up or fall into. Examples of this include the mistaken notion that evolution and learning are competitive explanations of motivational systems and the tendency to mix-up causal and functional explanations. Students and tutors alike will enjoy the engaging, page turning style of Motivational Systems with its multiple illustrations and examples of both lab experiments and historical curiosities.’

Lance Workman - Visiting Professor in Psychology, University of South Wales, UK