Introduction

The purpose of a definition of this kind is to describe the essential qualities of a term as succinctly as possible. Finer points have to be considered separately.

In the present case, at least two points need further elaboration:

1. The “positively evaluated goal state” may be to avoid or prevent undesired events. The qualities of avoidance motivation may differ from those of approach motivation (Chapters 4–9).

2. The second point is rather more complicated, and is the focus of the present chapter. When, as here, the definition of motivation focuses on a goal state, there is a risk of premature conclusions being drawn about where the incentives motivating behavior are located. It is easy to assume that the goal state has incentive value, and that the pursuit of the goal-directed activity is purely instrumental to bringing about that goal state, i.e., that the appeal of an activity resides solely in its intended outcomes. This is the approach taken by scholars such as Heckhausen (1977b) and Vroom (1964).

Unfortunately, this rather rash conclusion sometimes holds and sometimes does not. It is beyond question that people often engage in activities simply because they want to achieve or modify a particular goal state.