What psychological construct reflects the internal conditions that activate behavior towards achieving objectives?

The answer, motives, is correct because motives are the psychological constructs that drive individuals to take action and pursue their goals. They encompass the internal conditions, such as desires, drives, and urges, that activate behavior and direct it toward specific objectives. Motives can arise from a range of sources, including biological needs (like hunger) or psychological desires (such as the need for achievement or social connections).

In the context of psychology, understanding motives is crucial because they provide insight into why individuals behave in certain ways to fulfill their needs or achieve their goals. In this sense, motives serve as the underlying force that propels individuals into action, often leading to various behaviors and strategies in pursuit of their objectives.

In contrast, mental states, needs, and moods are related concepts but do not specifically encapsulate the dynamics of activating behavior toward goal achievement. While needs can certainly influence motives, they are more about the requirements essential for survival or well-being. Moods reflect emotional states that can affect behavior but do not necessarily drive specific actions toward goals. Thus, the concept of motives is the most precise in terms of the activation of behavior towards achieving objectives.