valence theory

Valence theory is a concept in psychology that describes how individuals are motivated by their desires for positive experiences and their aversions to negative ones. In simple terms, "valence" refers to the emotional value we assign to different outcomes; something with positive valence we seek out because it feels good, while something with negative valence we avoid because it feels bad. This theory helps explain decision-making and behavior by considering how we weigh the potential rewards and risks in various situations, guiding us towards choices that maximize our happiness and minimize our discomfort.