The motivational dominant in goal-directed behavior
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2026

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
1Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Abstract:
Results of experimental studies on discontinuation of the motivational dominants thirst and hunger and the "polarization" motor dominant, taken together with a theoretical analysis of the development of types I and II conditioned reflexes, lead to the conclusion that discontinuation of the motivational dominant plays a key role in organization goal-directed behavior. The activation of reciprocal connections between the appropriate centers provides a basis for the performance of goal-directed behavior.
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