Purpose vs. Background: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created, while Background is the information or circumstances that help in understanding the situation, context, or individual.
Key Differences
Purpose and background are distinct concepts, each serving different roles in contextualizing information, actions, or creations. Purpose refers to the intention or objective behind an action or creation, the “why” that motivates or justifies a decision or behavior. It’s the driving force or goal that individuals or entities aim to achieve through their endeavors. On the other hand, background provides the contextual landscape, presenting information or circumstances that precede an action or situation, helping to paint a fuller picture or understand the context in which something occurs.
In academic or professional writing, the differentiation between purpose and background becomes highly pertinent. The purpose in this context often outlines the goals or intentions of the study or project, stating what it seeks to achieve or prove. In contrast, the background lays down the foundational information, historical context, or previous studies and findings that lead to the current research or discussion, providing readers with the necessary knowledge to comprehend the current study’s relevance and importance.
Purpose and background are integral in legal and investigative domains as well. The purpose in legal settings often pertains to the intention behind laws, contracts, or legal actions, clarifying the objectives or expected outcomes of legal provisions or procedures. Meanwhile, the background could include the historical context, precedent cases, or circumstances leading to legal action or legislation, offering insights into the reasons and environments surrounding the legal issue.
In personal development and psychology, understanding one's purpose is crucial as it is closely tied to motivation and fulfillment, often reflecting individuals' values and aspirations. It’s the underlying reason that propels individuals to pursue certain paths or make specific decisions. Background, in this regard, pertains to an individual's history, experiences, education, and family upbringing, which collectively shape their perspectives, behaviors, and choices, and provide insights into their personalities and reactions.
In technology and design, the purpose is the functionality or problem-solving capability that a product or design aims to offer, defining the goals and the value it intends to provide to the users. The background, in this realm, can be the research, development history, or the market needs that led to the conceptualization and creation of the product or design, providing an understanding of its origin and the problems it seeks to address.
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Comparison Chart
Concept
Refers to the intention or objective behind an action or creation.
Provides contextual or historical information or circumstances.
Role in Writing
Outlines the goals or intentions of the study or project.
Presents foundational information or previous studies.
Application in Law
Clarifies the objectives or expected outcomes of legal actions.
Offers insights into the reasons and environments of legal issues.
Importance in Psychology
Tied to motivation and reflects individuals' values and aspirations.
Provides insights into individuals’ personalities and reactions by considering their history and experiences.
Function in Design
Defines the functionality or problem-solving capability of a product.
Provides an understanding of product origin and the problems it seeks to address.
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Purpose and Background Definitions
Purpose
Purpose is the intended or desired goal of an action.
The purpose of the meeting is to brainstorm new ideas.
Background
It refers to a person's history, including education and experience.
His background in engineering helped him solve the problem.
Purpose
Purpose is the feeling of being determined to achieve a goal.
He worked with a strong sense of purpose.
Background
Background is the area or scenery behind the main object.
The mountains in the background enhanced the photo's beauty.
Purpose
It is the reason for which something is done or created.
The purpose of the law is to maintain public order.
Background
It can be the underlying reason or circumstance of a situation.
Understanding the background of the conflict is crucial for resolution.
Purpose
It reflects one’s intention or objective.
Her purpose was to raise awareness about mental health.
Background
Background is the condition or environment in which something operates.
The cultural background of the city influenced its architectural style.
Purpose
Purpose can be a person's sense of resolve or determination.
With purpose and dedication, she completed her project on time.
Background
The ground or scenery located behind something.
Purpose
The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal
Her purpose in coming here is to talk to you. The purpose of an airliner is to transport people.
Background
The part of a pictorial representation that appears to be in the distance and that provides relief for the principal objects in the foreground.
Purpose
Determination; resolution
He was a man of purpose.
Background
The general scene or surface against which designs, patterns, or figures are represented or viewed.
Purpose
To intend or resolve
"the gap between what is said and what is purposed" (Ian Donaldson).
Background
A position, area, or situation that is not immediately in one's attention or notice
You can hear traffic moving in the background during the interview.
Purpose
The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
My purpose in coming to Egypt was simply to take it en route to the desert.
It has been my purpose to illustrate rather than to explain.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
The purpose of the device is to prevent the breechblock from opening accidentally should the gun be held barrel down.
The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight.
The purpose of this book is to study the interrelationship of government and religion.
The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
Background
(Computers) The environment in which programs operate that the user does not engage with directly
Processes that run in the background.
Purpose
Function, role.
Background
The circumstances and events surrounding or leading up to an event or occurrence.
Purpose
(Sense of having a) meaning for existing or doing something.
Background
A person's experience, training, and education
Her background in the arts is impressive.
Purpose
Resolution; determination.
Background
The cultural or social environment in which a person was brought up or has lived
A class with students from many different backgrounds.
Purpose
(obsolete) The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
Background
Subdued music played especially as an accompaniment to dialogue in a dramatic performance.
Purpose
(transitive) To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
Background
Sound that intrudes on or interferes with an audio recording.
Purpose
(intransitive) To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.
Background
Low-level radiation, as from radioactive decay, that exists as part of the natural environment.
Purpose
To discourse.
Background
Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.
Background noise
The antivirus program runs on a background thread.
Purpose
That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertookUnless the deed go with it.
Background
One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.
The lawyer had a background in computer science.
Purpose
Proposal to another; discourse.
Background
A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
Purpose
Instance; example.
Background
Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.
Purpose
To set forth; to bring forward.
Background
A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).
There was tons of noise in the background.
The photographer let us pick a background for the portrait.
Purpose
To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; - often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
Did nothing purpose against the state.
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.
Background
(computing) The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).
Purpose
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
Background
(computing) A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.
The antivirus program is running in the background.
Purpose
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Background
(physics) background radiation
Purpose
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
Background
To put in a position that is not prominent.
Purpose
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Background
(journalism) To gather and provide background information (on).
Purpose
Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon
Background
Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
Purpose
Reach a decision;
He resolved never to drink again
Background
The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
Background
Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
Background
A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance.
A husband somewhere in the background.
Background
The set of conditions within which an action takes place, including the social and physical conditions as well as the psychological states of the participants; as, within the background of the massive budget deficits of the 1980's, new spending programs had little chance of passage by the congress.
Background
The set of conditions that precede and affect an action, such as the social and historical precedents for the event, as well as the general background{5}; as, against the background of their expulsion by the Serbs, the desire of Kosovars for vengeance is understandable though regrettable.
Background
The signals that may be detected by a measurement which are not due to the phenomenon being studied, and tend to make the measurement uncertain to a greater or lesser degree.
Background
An agreement between a journalist and an interviewee that the name of the interviewee will not be quoted in any publication, although the substance of the remarks may be reported; - often used in the phrase "on background". Compare deep background.
Background
A person's social heritage: previous experience or training;
He is a lawyer with a sports background
Background
The part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground;
He posed her against a background of rolling hills
Background
Information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem;
The embassy filled him in on the background of the incident
Background
Extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured;
They got a bad connection and could hardly hear one another over the background signals
Background
Relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation;
When the rain came he could hear the sound of thunder in the background
Background
The state of the environment in which a situation exists;
You can't do that in a university setting
Background
(computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
Background
Scenery hung at back of stage
Background
Understate the importance or quality of;
He played down his royal ancestry
Background
Background is the information or context necessary for understanding.
The report included a detailed background of the study.
FAQs
Does background provide context and understanding?
Absolutely, background provides essential context and information for understanding a situation or individual.
Is purpose essential for goal setting?
Yes, clear purpose is essential for effective goal setting and achievement.
Does background include previous studies in academic writing?
Yes, in academic writing, background typically includes previous studies and foundational information.
Can a person’s purpose be tied to their values?
Yes, a person's purpose is often closely tied to their values and aspirations.
Can background include a person’s cultural upbringing?
Absolutely, background can encompass cultural upbringing and influences.
Can background refer to one's history and experiences?
Yes, background often refers to a person's history, experiences, and upbringing.
Can purpose motivate individuals?
Absolutely, understanding one’s purpose can be a significant motivating factor.
Does purpose relate to the intended use of an object?
Yes, the purpose of an object relates to its intended use or function.
Is background information crucial in journalism?
Indeed, providing background information is crucial in journalism for contextualizing stories.
Is purpose the reason something is done?
Yes, purpose is the reason or intention behind doing something.
Does purpose guide actions and decisions?
Indeed, purpose guides and influences individuals' actions and decisions.
Can background be the scenery in a picture?
Yes, in imagery, the background is the area or scenery behind the main object.
Can the background in design refer to the base layer?
Yes, in design, the background often refers to the base or backdrop layer.
Can purpose and background be interconnected?
Yes, purpose and background can be interconnected as background can influence one’s purpose and understanding thereof.
Is purpose pivotal in creating meaning in life?
Yes, having a purpose is often considered pivotal in creating meaning and fulfillment in life.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
