ABSTRACT
Future uncertainty represents a defining challenge of human life. Over the course of evolution, human survival has required the ability to anticipate and fluidly adapt to uncertain and rapidly changing environmental demands. Fortunately, people have evolved to meet the challenge of future uncertainty. They not only can adapt to existing demands, but can anticipate and preemptively adapt to possible demands that may emerge in future outcomes. Evidence suggests that people are remarkably good at adjusting as well as generating preemptive responses to future reward and risk prospects even in the context of uncertain and rapidly shifting environmental contingencies (Trommershäuser, Landy, & Maloney, 2006). Thus, the weight of empirical evidence suggests that people do have the ability to anticipate and respond to uncertain future outcomes. This paper examines the motivation that drives that ability to anticipate and respond to uncertain future outcomes. I will argue that a motive for preparedness drives anticipatory responding to uncertain future outcomes. I first define preparedness and then use four meta-theoretical criteria to evaluate preparedness as a unique motivational influence.
