上述术语在刑法中的含义各不相同。motive为“动机”，指导致一个人行为的需要或愿望（need or desire)情感原因或意图[1]，其不是构成犯罪的要素（element)，但有关犯罪动机证据的采信可有助于确认“犯罪故意”，即intent的存在。因此我们知道，intent (也称为criminal intent)便是刑法中所指的“犯罪故意”，其含义是：the design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act [2]，是构成犯罪的要素之一。mens rea则为“犯意” 或“犯罪意图”，指一种犯罪精神状态（a culpable mental state)，特指犯罪故意（intent)或对犯罪的知情（knowledge)， 其也是构成犯罪的要素之一[3]。

[1]“ The emotion which prompted an act or the intention with which one does an intentional act. ”Cf. p. K. McWilliams, Canadian Criminal Evidence，3rd edition，at p. 18， Aurora, Canadian Law Book (1988 ).

[2] Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D.，Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law，at p. 253, Meniam-Webster，Incorporated (1996).

[3]“ The state of mind that makes the performance of a particular act a crime, or a crime of a particular degree； the element of fault that makes an otherwise innocent act or omission punishable. ”Cf. James E. Clapp, Random House Webster's Dictionary of the Law, at p. 286，Random House (2000).