The power of goal-directed processes in the causation of emotional and other actions

Standard dual process models in the action domain postulate that stimulus-driven processes are responsible for suboptimal behavior because they take them to be rigid and automatic and therefore the default. We propose an alternative dual process model in which goal-directed processes are the default instead. We then transfer the dual process logic from the action domain to the emotion domain. This reveals that emotional action tendencies are often attributed to stimulus-driven processes. Our alternative model submits that emotional action tendencies can also be caused by goal-directed processes. We evaluate the type of empirical evidence required for validating our model and we consider implications of our model for behavior change, encouraging strategies focused on the expectancies and values of action outcomes.

BOF-keylabel:yes

IOF-keylabel:yes

BOF-publication weight:6

CSS-citation score:4

Authors from:Higher Education

Accessibility:Closed