Human motivation is multifaceted and multilayered. That is obvious. What is less obvious are the reasons why. One primary reason is the idea of self-reinforcing behavior, which is the process by which people control their own behavior by rewarding themselves when they achieve a certain standard or meet or exceed a goal. This reward is born out of the desire to maximize real or perceived "payoffs" and minimize real or perceived "costs." In romantic relationships, people constantly evaluate the "cost-to-benefit" ratio of the relationship. This informs them as to whether they choose to stay or leave. This episode takes a closer look at this relational dynamic and how it fits within the context of self-reinforcing behavior. Enjoy...and THANK YOU for joining the conversation!