An Integrated Cognitive-Motivational Model of Ikigai (Purpose in Life) in the Workplace

In the Japanese philosophy of life, 'ikigai' broadly refers to having a 'reason for living', or a purpose in life. From a phenomenological and empirical viewpoint, ikigai is reported to increase human well-being and even life expectancy. However, it remains difficult to translate, define and formalize with regard to contemporary psychological theories. In this respect, the aim of this paper is twofold: to capture as accurately as possible what ikigai is, and to examine whether the concept applies to a professional context. We first offer a comprehensive overview of ikigai, bridge the gap between this specific body of literature and related psychological theoretical frameworks, such as those addressing motivation, well-being, and attention. On this basis, we conceptualize an integrated cognitive-motivational model of ikigai using an IPO (Input-Process-Output) framework: we organize dispositional or situational factors supposedly supporting ikigai as inputs, fueling the core process of ikigai (mainly built from motivational and attentional mechanisms), which produce outcomes (including well-being). A feedback loop completes the model and allows the process to maintain over time. This conceptual proposal is a first step towards applying and testing the model in professional contexts, in order to renew our approach of engagement, well-being, and performance at work as well as inspire workplace evolution. ANRT CIFRE grant no: 2020-0203 reviewed acceptedVersion

在日本人生哲学语境中，ikigai（ikigai）广义上指"生存的理由"或人生目标。从现象学与实证研究视角来看，相关研究表明ikigai能够提升人类的幸福感，甚至延长预期寿命。然而，针对当代心理学理论体系，对其进行精准翻译、明确定义与形式化建模仍存在不小挑战。基于此，本研究的目标兼具双重性：一是尽可能准确地阐释ikigai的核心内涵，二是探究该概念是否适用于职业场景。本研究首先对ikigai开展全面综述，打通该领域研究文献与相关心理学理论框架之间的学术壁垒，后者涵盖动机、幸福感与注意力等研究领域。在此基础上，本研究借助IPO（输入-过程-输出，Input-Process-Output）框架，构建出ikigai的整合性认知-动机模型：将被认为有助于形成ikigai的特质性或情境性因素归类为输入项，以此驱动ikigai的核心过程（该过程主要由动机与注意力机制构成），最终产生各类研究结果（包括幸福感）。模型通过反馈环路完成闭环，使得该过程能够随时间推移得以持续维持。本次概念性构想是在职业场景中应用与验证该模型的第一步，旨在革新我们在工作中的投入度、幸福感与工作绩效的研究路径，同时为职场发展提供有益启发。ANRT CIFRE资助项目编号：2020-0203，本文已通过评审并录用。