MotivationWe thank A. E. Fink for producing the Predatory Imminence Continuum artwork in Figure . We would like to thank M. Tinsley for his contribution to the first edition of this chapter. We would like to thank Polar Bears Alive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the use of the polar bear photo, M. Domjan for the quail photo, K. Hollis for the pictures of the fish, and S. Crowley for the pictures of the rats.

Bibliographic Data

ID23699896
AuthorsBill P Godsil (Université Paris Cité), Michael S Fanselow (0000-0002-3850-5966, University of California, Los Angeles)
Year2012
Publication date2012-09-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeOTHER
VenueHandbook of Psychology, Second Edition (JOURNAL)
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/9781118133880.hop204002
OpenAlexW4211036641
ISBN9781118133880
LanguageEN
References cited150

The goal of motivational theories is to account for variance in behavior that is not easily ascribed to learning or genetic factors. A functional behavior systems framework is described that defines individual systems in terms of evolutionary purpose, environmental cause, behavioral consequence, and the neural circuits that link and achieve these characteristics. The approach suggests that specific behavior patterns emerge as a consequence of proximity to the goal. Signals for distant goals promote very different behaviors than more proximate signals, but the behaviors are functionally geared to what is necessary to move to the next step in a sequence of behaviors directed at obtaining the goal. Pavlovian conditioning plays an essential role in the ontogeny of these signals. Feeding (hunger), defense (fear), sex (reproduction), and thermoregulation are used to illustrate the framework and capture much of what is known about basic motivational processes.

Cognitive psychology · Cognitive science · Variance (accounting) · Circadian rhythm and melatonin · Memory and Neural Mechanisms · Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior · Psychology

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