TMAM · Towards a Mechanistic Account of Maintenance Goals

Towards a Mechanistic Account of Maintenance Goals

The research proposal focuses on understanding maintenance motivation—a neglected area in psychological theory that holds substantial implications for individual and societal behavior. This project is set to fill a significant gap in the literature by establishing a theoretical and empirical basis for maintenance goals, distinguishing them from approach and avoidance goals which primarily emphasize achieving new gains or avoiding losses. The primary objective of the project is to develop a mechanistic model of maintenance goals. This model will delineate how maintenance differs fundamentally from other types of goals by not stemming from a discrepancy between a current state and a desired state, but from the desire to preserve a current positive state. This distinction is crucial for understanding behaviors in various domains such as environmental sustainability, public health, and personal relationships. The expected outcomes of this project are poised to revolutionize how we conceptualize goal-directed behavior in psychology and extend its applications into neighboring fields such as education, management, and cultural studies. By empirically validating the unique mechanisms of maintenance motivation, the project will offer new insights into how individuals and societies can more effectively sustain beneficial states and practices, rather than merely striving for new achievements or avoiding negatives. The project’s methodology combines rigorous laboratory studies with real-life application through experience sampling methods (ESM), providing a robust testing ground for the proposed theoretical framework. This dual approach not only ensures scientific rigor but also enhances the ecological validity of the findings, making them highly relevant to everyday life scenarios. In terms of impact, the project’s outcomes are expected to have significant theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it extends our understanding of motivation by integrating maintenance as a fundamental aspect of goal-directed behavior. Practically, it has the potential to inform interventions and policies aimed at promoting sustained engagement in healthful, environmental, and social practices. For instance, understanding maintenance motivation can help in designing better public health campaigns that encourage long-term adherence to health behaviors, or in creating more effective strategies for environmental conservation that emphasize the ongoing care of natural resources rather than crisis responses. Furthermore, by emphasizing the positive aspects of current states rather than the avoidance of negative outcomes, maintenance goals may enhance individuals' well-being and satisfaction, contributing to healthier, more sustainable societies. This approach aligns with European Union priorities on health, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion, offering a new perspective that could influence a range of policy areas. Overall, the project sets the stage for a significant shift in how motivation is studied and applied in various disciplines, highlighting the importance of maintaining desirable states as a proactive and continuous effort rather than a reactive one. The insights from this research could lead to more sustainable practices across multiple domains, ultimately contributing to the well-being of individuals and societies on a global scale. This aligns with the broader goals of the European Union concerning sustainable development and social welfare, providing a robust theoretical and empirical foundation to support policy-making and intervention design in these critical areas.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union