A broad consideration of motivation, with a focus on approach motivation

Comments on an article by A. A. Scholer, J. F. M. Cornwell, and E. T. Higgins. Scholer, Cornwell, and Higgins raised important issues regarding approach motivation. One of the goals in this response is to move away from questions such as whether approach motivation is "better" than avoidance. Approach motivation assists organisms in acquiring resources and avoidance motivation assists them in not being harmed by threats. These motivational directions are ancient and appear to exist in species capable of movement. Even organisms as basic as worms move toward food and away from noxious stimuli such as light. The target article presents a model of approach and avoidance centered around goals. The authors propose that individuals pursue their goals at multiple levels of a hierarchy. This goals-focused view of motivation seems fairly cold and cognitive. It neglects some of the most basic elements of approach motivation, drives such as hunger, thirst, and lust. These visceral states are often what motivate the formation of goals in the first place. For example, lust might motivate an individual to pursue and woo an attractive other. The lust for the attractive other may generate the formation of "higher level" goals such as pursuit of a high-prestige career as a way to impress the lusted-for other. The goal is in service to the motivation, and not the other way around.