Three Parts of the Mind

Ancient philosophers and modern psychologists share the concept of a three-part mind with separate domains for thinking, feeling, and doing. The conative, or doing, part contains the striving instincts that drive a person's natural way of taking action, or modus operandi (MO). This is the unique set of innate strengths and talents every person has which remains unchanged from birth. Everyone has an equal amount of conative energy for engaging the thinking (cognitive) and feeling (affective) parts of the mind to produce purposeful action.

Cognitive
Thinking

IQ
Skills
Reason
Knowledge
Experience
Education
Conative
Doing


Drive
Instinct
Necessity
Mental Energy
Innate Force
Talents
Affective
Feeling

Desires
Motivation
Attitudes
Preferences
Emotions
Values

Learn more about the history and theory behind the conative part of the mind.