Morale - Definition and Overview

Morale measures the degree to which people hold to belief. The term applies particularly to military personnel and to members of sports teams. Since at least the time of Karl von Clausewitz' On War, maintenance of morale has been considered one of the fundamental "Principles of War"; while Sir Basil Liddell Hart regarded morale even more fundamentally:

The aim of a nation in war is to subdue the enemy's will to resist,...

Despite the intangible nature of morale, material factors (such as remuneration, food and shelter) can affect it.

In certain role-playing games, characters may have a morale attribute. This usually serves to indicate how long the character will press a difficult fight before giving up or fleeing.

See also

• Psychological warfare

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