Zielreizes

Zielreizes is a term used in psychology to describe stimuli that signal the impending achievement of a desired outcome and thereby influence goal-directed behavior. The word combines Ziel (goal) and Reiz (stimulus) and is used to discuss how cues in the environment can motivate action by forecasting reward. In practice, Zielreizes can be external, such as visual indicators or social feedback, or internal, such as an anticipated sense of pride. They can reflect intrinsic motivations (personal growth) or extrinsic motivations (points, money, status).

In research, Zielreizes are studied as elements that acquire incentive salience through conditioning. When a cue reliably predicts a reward, response vigour and approach behavior often increase, and decision processes become biased toward options that bring the goal closer. Experimental tasks often pair a neutral stimulus with a reward and measure changes in reaction time, choice, or neural activity in reward-related circuits.

Applications appear in education, sports psychology, behavioral therapy, and gamification design. For instance, progress indicators or achievement badges function as Zielreizes that encourage continued effort toward a target. However, reliance on goal cues can have downsides: they may undermine intrinsic motivation if rewards become controlling, or lose effectiveness through cue-fatigue or extinction. Individual differences in sensitivity to cues, cultural context, and task complexity also influence outcomes.

See also: goal setting, incentive motivation, cue reactivity, operant conditioning, incentive salience.