Dynamic Multiple Goals Optimization in Behavior Mechanism

Abstract

There exists a behavior mechanism which continuously allocates our attention to various events. Broadly classified, there are seven goals in our life: survival and security, perpetuation of the species, feelings of self-importance, social approval, sensuous gratification, cognitive consistency and curiosity, and self-actualization. For each goal, there is an ideal value or equilibrium point to pursue and/or maintain. If there is a significant discrepancy of current status from the ideal or equilibrium point, a charge (mental pressure) will be produced. At any moment, the totality of all charges created by all goals from all events is called “the charge structure” at that moment. Our mind will try to allocate the attention and resources to reduce the charge to a minimum level. The goals that catch our attention are awakened; otherwise unawakened. The priority for the goals to get our attention follows a dynamic scheme of multiple goals optimization. In this paper, we shall describe and illustrate the dynamic multiple goals optimization, a basic framework of behavior mechanism. Applications to vast decision making problems, especially the challenging ones, will also be mentioned. The mechanism will open up our minds as to make decisions more effectively.