Approach and avoidance motivation is composed of three conceptually distinct components. Approach indicates a propensity to move toward (or maintain contact with) a desired stimulus, such as vocational plans.
Avoidance indicates a propensity to move away from (or maintain distance from) an undesired stimulus in order to reduce anxiety. Motivation is defined as the energization and direction of behavior. The valence of stimuli is at the core of the distinction between approach and avoidance, with positively valenced stimuli typically leading to approach and negatively valenced stimuli typically leading to avoidance. Stimuli can be external or internal, implicit or explicit, conscious or non-conscious.
Approach and avoidance motivation comprises three distinct components: Approach involves moving toward desired stimuli, while avoidance is moving away from undesired stimuli to reduce anxiety. Motivation is the energization of behavior, influenced by the valence of stimuli, with positive valence leading to approach, and negative valence to avoidance. Stimuli can be external or internal, implicit or explicit, conscious or non-conscious.
