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Has anyone in #intrinsicmotivation or #sdt worked on frustration over ceasing intrinsically motivated activity? Like, a toddler screaming bloody murder when they have to leave a swing. It's SO obvious, but I don't recall ANY model or explanation why stopping a fun activity is aversive.

5/8/26, 9:57 am0 reposts2 likes

Sebastian Deterding

@codingconduct.cc

5 Aug

Again, it's obvious THAT this happens all the time and is strongly aversive. But it's not really need frustration when need satisfaction simply ceases, is it? Would this be framed as autonomy frustration (I WANT TO keep swinging and feel COERCED to stop swinging)?

Sebastian Deterding

@codingconduct.cc

5 Aug

Same for NOT realising an anticipated need satisfaction – i.e., driving by a swing with the buggy and not stopping to swing. Massive emotional frustration. Any anticipated-but-delayed-or-blocked-gratification, really.

Sebastian Deterding

@codingconduct.cc

5 Aug

In introspection, I feel the Buddhist viparinama-dukkha is much more on the mark: suffering from the change or passing of something we are attached to by desire. It is immediate pangs of attachment, not interpersonal pressure or coercion.