Motivation and Emotion, Health and Stress

Motivation

A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior toward a goal. 

Drive

An aroused state that occurs because of a physiological need (hunger, thirst). 

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain a balanced internal state.

Incentive

A positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior. 

Drive-Reduction Theory

We are motivated to reduce internal tension and restore homeostasis 

What are primary drives of the Drive-Reduction Theory?

biological needs

ex. hunger, thirst, sleep

What are secondary drives of the Drive-Reduction Theory?

learned motivations

ex. money, achievement

Example of the Drive-Reduction Theory

1. Feeling hungry (drive)

2. motivates you to eat (behavior)

3. to restore energy balance (homeostasis) 

Arousal Theory (Yerkes-Dodson Law) 

We seek to maintain optimal levels of arousal 

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Moderate arousal leads to peak performance

In the Yerkes-Dodson Law, what does too little arousal lead to?

boredom and poor performance

In the Yerkes-Dodson Law, what does too much arousal lead to?

anxiety and poor performance

Example of Yerkes-Dodson Law

A little nervousness before a test can help you focus, but too much anxiety hurts performance 

Incentive Theory

External rewards and punishments motivate behavior 

In the Incentive Theory, what are we?

pulled by incentives rather than pushed by drives 

Example of Incentive Theory

Studying hard to earn good grades (external reward) 

Whats fifth on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Physiological needs

• ex. Food, water, sleep, shelter 

Whats fourth on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Safety Needs

• ex. Security, stability, freedom from fear

Whats third on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Love and belonging

• ex. relationships, acceptance, affection

Whats second on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Esteem needs

• ex. Achievement, recognition, respect

Whats first on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Self-actualization

• ex. Realizing personal potential, creativity

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation from internal satisfaction

• ex. reading for pleasure 

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation from external rewards/punishments

• ex. studying for grades

Hunger Motivation

the internal drive that prompts individuals to seek and consume food

Biological factors of Hunger Motivation

Glucose levels, hormones

• ex. ghrelin increases hunger, leptin signals fullness

Brain Structures for Hunger Motivation: starts eating

Lateral hypothalamus

Brain Structures for Hunger Motivation: stops eating

Ventromedial hypothalamus

Environmental factors of Hunger Motivation

Food availability, cultural norms, emotions 

Emotion

A complex psychological state involving physiological arousal, cognitive interpretation, and behavioral expression. 

Basic Emotion

Universal emotions found across cultures

Ekman’s list of emotions

happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust

Theories of Emotion: James-Lange Theory

Stimulus → Physiological response → Emotion 

• Feeling afraid because we run

Example of James-Lange Theory

See snake → heart races → feel fear 

Theories of Emotion: Cannon-Bard Theory

Stimulus → Simultaneous physiological response AND emotion 

• Emotions and body responses happen at the same time 

Example of Cannon-Bard Theory

See snake → heart races AND feel fear simultaneously 

Theories of Emotion: Two-Factor Theory

Stimulus → Physiological arousal → Cognitive interpretation → Emotion 

• Same arousal can lead to different emotions based on interpretation 

Who discovered the Two-Factor Theory?

Schachter-Singer

Example of Two-Factor Theory

Heart racing before presentation:

• excitement (if prepared)

• anxiety (if unprepared) 

Physiological Component of Emotion: Autonomic nervous system

Sympathetic (arousal) vs. parasympathetic (calm) 

Physiological Component of Emotion: Fight-or-flight response

Body's reaction to perceived threats 

Physiological Component of Emotion: Brain structures

• Amygdala (fear)

• hypothalamus (arousal)

• prefrontal cortex (regulation) 

Cognitive Component of Emotion: Appraisal

How we interpret and evaluate emotional situations 

Cognitive Component of Emotion: Attribution

What we believe caused our emotions 

Cognitive Component of Emotion: Emotional intelligence

Ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions

Behavioral Component of Emotion: Facial expression

Some appear universal across cultures

Behavioral Component of Emotion: Body Language

posture, gestures, movement

Behavioral Component of Emotion: Display rules

Cultural guidelines for emotional expression 

Behavioral Component of Emotion: Facial feedback hypothesis

Facial expressions can influence emotional experience 

Stress

The process by which we perceive and respond to events (stressors) that we appraise as threatening or challenging. 

Stressor

Any event or situation that triggers stress

• can be positive or negative

Types of Stressors

• Catastrophe

• Significant Life Changes

• Daily Hassles

Types of Stressors: Catastrophes

-Large-scale disasters

• ex. natural disasters, wars, pandemics

-Affect many people simultaneously 

-Can cause long-term psychological effects

Types of Stressors: Significant Life Changes

-Major transitions

• ex. divorce, job loss, moving, death of loved one

-Even positive changes can be stressful 

Stressor Significant Life Changes: What is the Holmes-Rahe Life Events Scale?

Measures stress from life changes 

Types of Stressors: Daily Hassles

-Minor everyday annoyances

• ex. traffic, long lines, technology problems

-Can accumulate and significantly impact well-being 

-Often more predictive of health than major events 

Stress Response: Physiological Response 

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) - Hans Selye 

What is General Adaptation Syndrome?

a three-stage process describing the body's response to stress, including alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

What is phase one of General Adaptation Syndrome?

Alarm Phase: Initial shock, fight-or-flight response activated 

What is phase two of General Adaptation Syndrome?

Resistance Phase: Body adapts and copes with stressor 

What is phase three of General Adaptation Syndrome?

Exhaustion Phase: Resources depleted, increased vulnerability to illness 

Disease from Stress: Cardiovascular disease

High blood pressure, heart attacks

Disease from Stress: Immune system suppression

Increased susceptibility to illness 

Disease from Stress: Digestive problems

Ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome 

Disease from Stress: Sleep disorders

Insomnia, disrupted sleep cycles 

What are other diseases from stress?

headaches and muscle tension

What are mental health issues due to stress?

• Depression/ anxiety

• Cognitive impairment

• Behavioral changes

Mental Health and Stress: Cognitive impairment

Memory problems, difficulty concentrating 

Mental Health and Stress: Behavioral changes

Substance abuse, social withdrawal 

What does exercise do to help relieve stress?

• Reduces stress hormones and releases endorphins 

• Improves cardiovascular health and sleep quality 

• Enhances mood and cognitive function 

What are the effects of sleep deprivation?

• Impaired immune function

• increased stress

• cognitive problems 

What is good sleep hygiene?

Regular schedule, comfortable environment, avoiding screens before bed 

What does nutrition do to help relieve stress?

• Balanced diet supports physical and mental health 

• Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods during stress 

What do social connections do to help relieve stress?

• Strong relationships buffer against stress 

• Social isolation increases health risks 

• Quality matters more than quantity of relationships 

Type A Personality

Competitive, time-urgent, hostile

• higher heart disease risk

• Hostility and anger, not just competitiveness 

Type B Personality

Relaxed, patient, creative

• lower heart disease risk

Hardiness People

a personality trait characterized by resilience and the ability to cope effectively with stress

Components to Hardiness

Commitment, control, challenge 

What do Hardy individuals view stress as?

opportunities for growth 

• More resilient to stress-related illness 

Ghrelin

a hormone primarily known for its role in appetite regulation and food intake

Leptin

a protein hormone that signals the brain about the body's fat stores

Achievement motivation 

the individual's desire to perform well, excel, and experience success in a given situation or task

Lateral hypothalamus

a brain region primarily involved in regulating feeding behavior, arousal, and energy balance

ventromedial hypothalamus 

a brain region primarily associated with feelings of fullness and satiety

Self-actualization 

the process of realizing one's full potential and achieving personal growth and fulfillment

Amygdala

a pair of almond-shaped structures located in the medial temporal lobes of the brain

• processes emotion: fear and anxiety

Sympathetic nervous system 

a crucial part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the body's "fight-or-flight" stress response

Cognitive appraisal 

a psychological process where an individual evaluates and interprets an event or situation to determine its significance and potential impact

Eustress

positive stress

Distress

a state of unpleasant emotional suffering, often accompanied by physical symptoms