Meaning & use
mixed motive
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Meanings
nouncountable
A situation in which a person has two or more reasons for doing something, often one good and one selfish.
Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'a mixed motive' or 'mixed motives' when talking about people's reasons.
Patterns
- have a mixed motive
- act from mixed motives
- on mixed motives
She donated to the charity out of a mixed motive: she wanted to help, but she also wanted the publicity.
His mixed motives made it hard to tell whether he was being kind or just trying to impress the boss.
The report suggested that the company's decision was driven by mixed motives, including cost savings and genuine concern for the environment.
adjectivebefore a nounlegallaw
Relating to a legal case where an employer had both a valid and a discriminatory reason for an action.
Grammar: Used before nouns like 'case', 'instruction', or 'claim' in legal contexts.
Patterns
- mixed-motive case
- mixed-motive instruction
- mixed-motive claim
The judge gave a mixed-motive instruction to the jury, explaining that they must decide whether discrimination played a role.
In a mixed-motive case, the employee must show that an illegal reason was a motivating factor in the decision.
The appeals court reviewed the mixed-motive claim under the relevant civil rights statute.
Common combinations
- mixed motives
- Politicians often have mixed motives for supporting a policy.
- mixed-motive case
- The lawyer specialized in mixed-motive cases under employment law.
- out of mixed motives
- He helped his rival out of mixed motives, hoping to gain a favor later.
- a mix of motives
- Her decision was based on a mix of motives, some generous and some not.
Synonyms and how they differ
- multiple motives
- A more neutral phrase that simply means more than one reason, without implying a conflict between them.
- conflicting motives
- Emphasizes that the reasons are in opposition, whereas 'mixed motive' can include reasons that are not directly opposed.
Opposites
Word family
- motive noun
- A reason for doing something.
- motivate verb
- To make someone want to do something.
- motivation noun
- The reason or desire that makes someone act.
Commonly confused: mixed motive or mixed motivation?
mixed motive vs mixed motivation
'Mixed motivation' is less common and often refers to a general state of having conflicting desires, while 'mixed motive' is the standard term in law and psychology for specific reasons behind an action.
Practice
In a legal context, what does a 'mixed-motive' case involve?
Choose one answer.
A mixed-motive case specifically refers to a situation where an employer had both a legitimate and an illegitimate reason for an employment decision. Option 1 is wrong because it describes a lack of motive, not multiple motives. Option 3 describes a hung jury, and option 4 is about lawyers, not the case itself.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mixed motive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.