Directional motivation

Biological Parallel

Hungry predators interpret ambiguous tracks as 'fresh' and ambiguous sounds as 'prey nearby'—directional motivation biases evidence toward desired outcomes. Well-fed predators interpret the same cues as 'stale' or 'nothing.' The mechanism: metabolic state gates perception. Evolution shaped attention to align with current needs: starving organisms can't afford skepticism about potential food. The directional bias isn't error; it's adaptive tuning. Goals don't just motivate action—they filter reality.