What actually drives human behavior?

Nice, nice... A few solid points here.

Alright, let me clarify a few things...

It’s obvious that these aren't the ultimate or absolute reasons why people behave the way they do, and there are certainly much deeper explanations out there (starting with evolutionary natural selection, for instance).

But humans don't actually function that way—nor do any other creatures capable of complex thought. People base their actions on immediate, tangible motivations. It’s only very recently (in geological terms) that we’ve developed enough brain capacity to even sit around and debate the deeper stuff.

Every rationalization is essentially just the brain hunting for a deeper justification for an action (not necessarily the *final* one, but certainly not the first). However, the primary and immediate cause (which might be several layers deep) of all human behavior still boils down to one of those two drivers—and that’s without stretching the definitions of pleasure and pain to such an absurd degree that everything becomes its own opposite)

As always (once I start typing, I realize...), I should have been more precise when setting the stage. But here is the question again: is there anything at all humans do that cannot be explained by one of those two motives?

Rebecca Cox2 said:But here’s the thing, the question remains: is there actually anything people do that can't be explained by one of those two motivations?

I guess I'm stuck on certain life situations that, in my view, just don't fit into those two categories.
For instance—I have to include an example or this won't go through—a woman who stays with an abusive husband.
That isn't about seeking pleasure, nor is it about avoiding pain.
So, what is it then?

It’s really just an attempt to dodge a much deeper ache—women like that would find being alone far more painful.

And let's not overlook the fact that some people actually find pleasure in pain. We can call them masochists or whatever else we want, but they definitely exist.