Knowledge Needs and Information Extraction: Towards an Artificial Consciousness

Chapter 11

A Model of Self-Motivation which Associates Language and Physiology

11.1. A new model

In this chapter, we present a new model of motivation which works with a coherence of function, coupling the principles of a neuro-physiological system with those of a psychosocial system.

The presentation of this new model favors a strong link between a monological language system and a self-motivational need system aimed at producing a regular intention to act. This model proposes the idea that motivation is a need – a need which is not massively quantitative. In this model, a hormonal balance is established cyclically when the self-motivational system reaches saturation mode. The cycle is a virtuous cycle, much like the virtuous cycles which exist in society and in relation to an individual’s instinctive needs (food, drink, energy, desire and sexual activity) causing satiation and hormonal production which expresses satisfaction, and below a certain threshold, another hormonal production will produce a demand. Similarly as for food and drink, periodicity has a part to play. Assume that the body needs a liter of water per day. After 30 days, an individual’s consumption would be 30 liters, but drinking 30 liters of water at once – assuming it is even possible, which is doubtful – would not assuage the function of the cycle for the remaining 29 days. Thus, the requirement is cyclical, with an unavoidable periodicity. A wide variety of ingredients can assuage this requirement, but the ...