My purpose in this chapter is to examine the role that metaphorical thought has played in the historical development of motivational psychology. The relation between motives and metaphors constitutes a particularly apt topic, since recently there has been growing interest in the significance of metaphors and analogies in scientific thought (e.g., Boyd, 1979; Gruber, 1980; Hesse, 1966; Kuhn, 1979; Leatherdale, 1974; Mac-Cormac, 1985; McReynolds, 1980; Turbayne, 1962) and since the field of motivation is one of the most basic and venerable areas of psychology. Rather than beginning with a predetermined conception of the utility of metaphors in motivational theorizing and then looking for historical instances that fit that conception, I will present a historical survey of different approaches to motivation, paying special attention to the use of metaphors and analogies, and I shall then draw such conclusions from the data as seem warranted. Though my survey is necessarily limited and selective, it covers a representative sample of motivational perspectives. (Paul McReynolds)