Directed Movement: The Role of Intrinsic Motivation
The ability to move in a directed fashion is an important skill for humans and animals alike. It is essential for survival, allowing an individual to navigate their environment and obtain resources. Directed movement is the result of a combination of intrinsic motivation and environmental cues. This article will explore the role of intrinsic motivation in directing movement, its importance in development, and the implications for animal and human behavior.
Intrinsic motivation is the drive to perform a behavior due to an inherent desire or interest, rather than an external reward. It is key for directed movement, as it is what gives the individual the impetus to initiate and continue movement in a particular direction. It is particularly important in development, as it helps the individual learn how to move in new environments and explore their surroundings.
The importance of intrinsic motivation in directing movement can be seen in animals, such as rats. In a study by Golani et al. (2010), rats were exposed to a variety of environments, such as open fields and mazes. They found that the rats explored the open fields freely, but when placed in the mazes, the rats exhibited a directed movement pattern, which was associated with an increased motivation to explore. This suggests that the rats were driven by an intrinsic motivation to explore the environment and reach their goal.
The role of intrinsic motivation can also be observed in humans. In a study by Dweck et al. (1985), children aged 4–7 were presented with a task that involved a series of choices. The children were found to be more likely to persist in the task if they were intrinsically motivated, as opposed to simply being rewarded. This highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation in directing movement, as it encourages individuals to continue despite obstacles.
The implications of intrinsic motivation for animal and human behavior are clear. Intrinsic motivation provides the impetus to initiate and continue movement, and without it, directed movement would not be possible. It is particularly important in development, as it helps the individual learn how to move in new environments. Thus, intrinsic motivation is key for directing movement and should be taken into consideration when studying animal and human behavior.
References
Dweck, C. S., Kamins, M. L., & Stone, M. H. (1985). Effects of praise on children’s intrinsic motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48(5), 1031–1037.
Golani, I., Yap, M. J., & Ben-Shaul, Y. (2010). The role of intrinsic motivation in directing movement. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 213(13), 2233–2238.