ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the evidence suggesting that body postures and movements influence approach motivational responses. The majority of research on the role of bodily expressions influencing processes related to motivation comes from work on facial expressions and emotions. Zajonc et al. posited that the furrowing of the brow that often occurs during expressions of negative emotions might reduce air-intake into the nasal cavity, because more mouth as compared to nose-breathing, and raise the temperature of blood entering the brain. The emotive functions of asymmetric frontal cortical activity are tested with several neuroscience techniques. One neural variable that is examined and related to motivational intensity is the late positive potential (LPP). It is an event-related brain potential (ERP) that starts approximately 300 ms after stimulus onset and lasts for several 100 ms. Another variable that relate to approach motivation is the startle eyeblink reflex. Cognitive dissonance reduction is associated with approach motivation, particularly when a commitment to action is involved.
