Mental models/Goal Gradient Effect
Motivation & Engagement

Goal Gradient Effect

The tendency to accelerate effort as one approaches a goal. First demonstrated in rats by Clark Hull, later confirmed extensively in human behaviour.

In plain language

Motivation and effort increase as people get closer to a goal. The last 20% of a progress bar moves fastest.

In the wild

Implementations of this model aren’t wired to this view yet — they live in the implementations table.

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