obtentions

Obtentions are a proposed class of cognitive states that express a commitment to bringing about a specific future outcome. They are described as encompassing not only a desire to achieve something but also an evaluation of the feasibility, the value of the outcome, and the planned means to obtain it. In this sense, obtentions sit between general motivation and concrete action, signaling both intention to act and an expectation that action will succeed.

The term obtention is derived from the verb obtain and the noun suffix -tion and has appeared in discussions within cognitive science, philosophy of action, and related fields since the early 21st century. It is used to contrast with more basic notions such as mere desire or intention by emphasizing the integration of value assessment, resource considerations, and planned procedures.

The formation of obtentions is thought to rely on multiple interacting processes. Valuation assigns a subjective worth to the desired outcome, while feasibility estimates consider available time, effort, and constraints. These evaluations contribute to a decision threshold that, when met, triggers the initiation of action sequences and sustained goal-directed behavior. Neural correlates are often discussed in terms of prefrontal circuits involved in planning and monitoring, with dopaminergic reward systems signaling anticipated value.

Researchers study obtentions through behavioral tasks that measure readiness to act, as well as through neuroimaging and longitudinal studies of goal attainment. Applications span artificial intelligence planning, human–computer interaction, and educational design, where modeling obtentions can improve predictions of when people will start and sustain actions toward goals.

Critics argue that obtentions risk overlapping with existing concepts such as desire, intention, and plan, and that inconsistent definitions hamper measurement. Proponents contend that a clear, integrative account helps explain how motivation, opportunity, and strategy combine to produce goal-directed behavior.