Both distance change and movement goal affect whole-body approach-avoidance behavior

Daniëlle Bouman, John Stins, PJ Beek

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Abstract

Objective: Approach and avoidance behaviors with respect to pleasant and unpleasant stimuli are explained by two theories. The motivational distance regulation (DR) account posits that the physical distance between the self and the stimulus is essential. In contrast, the cognitive evaluative response coding (ERC) account holds that the significance of the movement goal, provided with a response label, is crucial. The aim of the present study was to determine which account fares best in explaining approach-avoidance tendencies in whole-body movements. Method: We adopted a whole-body approach-avoidance paradigm involving stepping sideways to tease apart the effects of distance change and response coding. Thirty-six participants stepped sideways on a force platform in response to facial expressions, with instructions crafted to induce distance change separately from the labels given to the movements. In the first experiment the emotion was relevant to the task goal, whereas in the second experiment the emotion was task irrelevant. Results: The analysis of variance showed greater support for the cognitive ERC account with regard to step initiation (reaction time: significant Emotion × Label interaction; p< .05; η² p = .14), but appeared to favor DR with regard to gait execution (peak velocity; significant Emotion × Distance interaction; p< .05; η² p = .14). The results of the second experiment yielded support for the notion that emotion only affects behavior when relevant to the task goal, that is, for the ERC account. Conclusions: Both cognitive and motivational mechanisms play a role in whole-body approach-avoidance behavior, suggesting parallel cognitive processing routes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)156–172
Number of pages17
JournalPsychology & Neuroscience
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

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