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Human motivation is organized hierarchically, from proximal (means) to ultimate (ends)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2025

Edgar Dubourg Open the ORCID record for Edgar Dubourg [Opens in a new window] ,
Valérian Chambon  and
Nicolas Baumard
Edgar Dubourg*
Affiliation:
Département d’études cognitives, Institut Jean Nicod, Ecole normale supérieure, Université PSL, EHESS, CNRS, Paris, France edgar.dubourg@gmail.com valerian.chambon@ens.psl.eu nicolas.baumard@gmail.com https://www.edgardubourg.fr https://nicolasbaumards.org https://sites.google.com/site/chambonvalerian/home
Valérian Chambon
Affiliation:
Département d’études cognitives, Institut Jean Nicod, Ecole normale supérieure, Université PSL, EHESS, CNRS, Paris, France edgar.dubourg@gmail.com valerian.chambon@ens.psl.eu nicolas.baumard@gmail.com https://www.edgardubourg.fr https://nicolasbaumards.org https://sites.google.com/site/chambonvalerian/home
Nicolas Baumard
Affiliation:
Département d’études cognitives, Institut Jean Nicod, Ecole normale supérieure, Université PSL, EHESS, CNRS, Paris, France edgar.dubourg@gmail.com valerian.chambon@ens.psl.eu nicolas.baumard@gmail.com https://www.edgardubourg.fr https://nicolasbaumards.org https://sites.google.com/site/chambonvalerian/home
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Murayama and Jach raise a key problem in behavioral sciences, to which we suggest evolutionary science can provide a solution. We emphasize the role of adaptive mechanisms in shaping behavior and argue for the integration of hierarchical theories of goal-directed cognition and behavioral flexibility, in order to unravel the motivations behind actions that, in themselves, seem disconnected from adaptive goals.

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Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e31
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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