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The dynamics of avoidance goal regulation

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Abstract

An avoidance goal is an undesired state from which a person seeks to distance themselves. Though important for understanding behavior, avoidance goals have received less attention than approach goals. In this paper, we present a dynamic, formal model that provides a framework for describing and predicting the dynamics of avoidance goal regulation. We conduct a series of simulations to examine the dynamic pattern of behavior that emerges from the model when an avoidance goal is pursued in isolation and when an approach goal is also present. Two versions of the model were examined. In the first, the avoidance goal is regulated by a positive feedback loop. In the second, the avoidance goal is regulated by a negative feedback loop. We find that the positive feedback model produces a pattern of runaway behavior, even in a scenario where an approach goal is also present. By contrast, the negative feedback loop model produces a stable pattern of behavior that is more consistent with existing theory. The findings provide an important step toward theoretical parsimony by demonstrating that avoidance goal regulation, like approach goal regulation, can be understood using a negative feedback control system framework. We discuss new insights provided by this model and its potential to spark empirical research.

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Notes

  1. Formally, a feedback loop is negative if there is an odd number of links between the variables in the loop. Otherwise, the loop is positive (Richardson 1991).

  2. Some models (e.g., Vancouver et al. 2005, 2008) have included a condition in the comparator function that restricts the value of the discrepancy from taking on negative values. We omit that condition for simplicity. In the simulations presented below, adding this condition makes no difference to the results.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by an Australian Research Council Grant DP120100852, awarded to Neal (CI), Yeo (CI), Zacher (CI), Vancouver, & Schmidt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UWA Business School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia

    Timothy Ballard & Gillian Yeo

  2. School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Timothy Ballard & Andrew Neal

  3. School of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA

    Jeffrey B. Vancouver

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  1. Timothy Ballard
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  2. Gillian Yeo
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  3. Jeffrey B. Vancouver
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  4. Andrew Neal
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Correspondence to Timothy Ballard.

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Ballard, T., Yeo, G., B. Vancouver, J. et al. The dynamics of avoidance goal regulation. Motiv Emot 41, 698–707 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-017-9640-8

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