Relief: Reflective and impulsive processes underlying approach and avoidance in response to information implying non-negative states

Relief: Reflective and impulsive processes underlying approach and avoidance in response to information implying non-negative states.

Abstract:

Humans as well as other higher organisms are endowed with two basic motivational systems: Approach and avoidance. Typically, positive situations elicit an approach motivation whereas negative situations elicit an avoidance motivation. The interplay of valence and approach/avoidance motivation is quite well understood for a number of situational and internal conditions. However, relatively little is known regarding situations and emotions that involve the non-occurrence of events. This is especially true for the emotion of relief and its situational triggers. On the one hand, relief is a consequence of successful avoidance. On the other hand, relief is of positive valence. As such, it could be associated with both the approach- and the avoidance-system. Existing evidence is insufficient to clarify the motivational underpinnings of relief. Likewise, existing theories make conflicting predictions. The present research programme aims at investigating the motivational nature of relief. Since the emotion of relief also plays a role in abnormal behaviour (e.g., phobia, automutilitation), the present research project will promote progress in theory and application alike.