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Does motivational intensity exist distinct from valence and arousal?
Niamh M Campbell1, Amy Dawel1, Mark Edwards1
1Research School of Psychology.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|February 25, 2021
Summary
Motivational intensity, the urge to approach or avoid stimuli, is strongly linked to valence, not arousal. This suggests valence, not motivational intensity, drives cognitive effects like broadening or narrowing.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- The motivational intensity model posits that urge strength (approach/avoidance) drives cognitive broadening/narrowing.
- The distinctness of motivational intensity from valence and arousal remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between motivational intensity, valence, and arousal.
- To determine if motivational intensity is a distinct construct or reducible to valence and arousal.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: 150 participants rated motivational intensity, valence, and arousal for 300 pictures using explicit scales.
- Study 2: Employed implicit measures to assess motivational intensity and valence for 100 pictures.
Main Results:
- A very strong positive correlation (r > .9) was found between motivational intensity and valence across both studies.
- Motivational intensity showed inconsistent relationships with arousal and moderate association with avoidance motivation.
- Implicit measures confirmed a high correspondence between motivational intensity and valence.
Conclusions:
- Motivational intensity is not distinct from valence, challenging its role as an independent driver of cognitive states.
- Arousal is not a reliable proxy for motivational intensity across the approach-avoidance spectrum.
- Cognitive effects previously attributed to motivational intensity are likely explained by valence.
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