The Effectance Motive: Where Buddhism and Stoicism Get It Wrong

In 1959, Harvard psychologist Robert White introduced the concept of ‘The Effectance Motive’, suggesting that humans have an intrinsic drive to interact with, influence, and exert control over our environment. This drive is so fundamental that it exists in all humans and is a cornerstone of confidence and happiness — it is our innate desire to control our surroundings, to leave a mark on the world around us.

Whereas Stoicism and Buddhism teach us to look inward for contentment - to accept the world as it is - the Effectance Motive urges us to reach out and reshape the world as we see fit.

Intrigued by this dichotomy, I conducted a personal experiment. Every single day, for one month, I would alter something in my apartment. From decluttering drawers to rearranging my furniture, each change was a small step towards a more harmonious environment. This wasn’t just housekeeping — it was a deliberate attempt to put the Effectance Motive to the test and change my immediate surroundings: my home.

The results? Besides having a much nicer apartment, each modification became a visual testament to my agency - every new plant and neatly arranged shelf became a reminder of my ability to create change. I spend most of my day at home, so I get these happiness-inducing, confidence-building interactions constantly. It’s wonderful.

Stoicism and Buddhism are right to focus on internal peace, but Effectance Motive reminds us that there’s value in changing our external worlds as well. So, the next time you notice a small change you’d like to make to your environment, go for it. Each act is a step towards harmonizing your eternal world with your internal wellbeing. You’ll be surprised how quickly they’ll add up.