Definition
In the context of aviation instruction, human nature and motivation refers to the study of why people behave and learn the way they do, and what drives them to start, continue, and complete a course of training. It covers the basic needs, desires, and psychological tendencies that shape a student's effort, attention, and persistence, and it gives instructors a framework for understanding and influencing student performance.
Plain English
It's the idea that to teach someone well, you first need to understand what makes them tick -- what they need, what they want, and what pushes them to keep going when training gets hard.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor training when discussing how instructors understand student behavior, build trust, and keep training productive.
Derivation
"Human nature" comes from the Latin natura, meaning the inborn character or essential qualities of something. "Motivation" comes from the Latin movere, meaning "to move." Put together, the phrase literally points to what is built into people and what moves them to act -- which is exactly what an instructor is trying to read and work with.
Why Pilots Care
Instructors who understand what motivates a student can spot when interest is fading, adjust their approach, and help the student push through the hard phases of training. For students, recognizing their own motivations helps them stay on track when learning slows down or setbacks occur.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a vague personality topic or as “people are just the way they are.” In this FAA instructor context, it means understanding normal student behavior and the reasons a learner keeps working, shuts down, or improves.
Example Sentence 1
The chapter on human nature and motivation helped the new flight instructor understand why one student thrived on challenge while another needed steady reassurance.
Example Sentence 2
Understanding human nature and motivation helped the instructor recognize why the student was losing interest after repeated pattern work.