Beyond cognitive rationality: integrating motivation and affect in human decision-making

Abstract

The study of rationality is closely linked to the formal study of human judgement and decision-making. Much of the empirical discourse on rationality has been centered on evaluation of quality of human judgments, decisions and behavior. Building upon traditional and recent models in this discourse, this paper examines how motivational and affective processes fundamentally shape rational behavior through their influence on perceptual and cognitive mechanisms. Our analysis demonstrates that rational behavior emerges from the dynamic interaction between motivational drives, emotional states, and cognitive processes, beginning at the earliest stages of information processing. This integrated perspective, grounded in empirical evidence from cognitive neuroscience and psychology, provides new insights into the nature of cognitive biases, suggesting that apparent deviations from rationality may represent adaptive responses when considering how perception and cognition are shaped by motivational and affective states. By emphasizing the foundational role of motivation and affect in driving perceptual and cognitive mechanisms, this work advances our understanding of human rationality and suggests new directions for research.