A unified framework for interpreting a range of motivation-performance phenomena

Effects of motivation on cognition and performance have been found empirically in different fields. However, the relationship between motivation and performance seems complex and multi-faceted. While seemingly inconsistent or incompatible studies and theories of different disciplinary origins exist in this regard, we show that many of them can potentially be synthesized. Simulations within a unifying computational cognitive architecture account for empirical phenomena from different studies, which demonstrate that a mechanistic (computational) account can potentially unify the interpretations of these studies, largely based on utility calculation from intrinsic motives, and allow for further, more detailed explorations.

Automated summary

Motivation has empirically been shown to have effects on cognition and performance in various fields. The relationship between motivation and performance is complex and multi-faceted. Through simulations within a unified computational cognitive architecture, it is possible to potentially synthesize seemingly inconsistent studies and theories from different disciplinary origins, providing a mechanistic account that can unify interpretations based on utility calculation from intrinsic motives.