ap psych 8.1

Instincts

Innate, fixed patterns of behavior in animals that are triggered by specific stimuli, driving them to act in predictable ways.

Ex: sea turtles instinctively move towards the ocean.

Drive Reduction Theory

Behavior is motivated by the need to reduce internal drives, caused by physiological deficits, such as hunger or thirst, aiming to restore homeostasis.

Homeostasis

The body’s effort to maintain stable internal conditions.

Belongingness

The innate human desire to form and sustain close, meaningful relationships, which significantly drives behavior and affects emotional health.

Arousal Theory

Individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of alertness seeking to increase alertness when it is too low and decrease when it is too high, to enhance performance and well-being.

Yerkes Dodson Law

Performance increases with physiological or mental arousal (alertness), but only up to a point; when levels of arousal become too high, performance decreases. Individuals perform best when they are at an optimal level of arousal.

Sensation Seeking Theory

Proposes that one’s motivation is driven by the need for varied, novel, and intense experiences.

Thrill Seeking

A component of sensation seeking theory, where individuals are motivated by the desire for intense and exciting experiences, often involving risk.

Adventure Seeking

A component of sensation seeking theory where individuals are motivated by the desire for new and challenging experiences, often involving physical activities and exploration.

Disinhibition

Refers to the tendency to seek out social and experimental thrills by engaging in behaviors that are typically restrained by social norms and inhibitions.

Incentive Theory

Behavior is motivated by the desire for external rewards or incentives, which can include money, praise, or other tangible benefits.

Self Determination Theory

Proposes that people are motivated by intrinsic motivations such as personal growth and fulfillment, or extrinsic motivations, such as rewards and recognition.

Intrinsic Motivation

Refers to engaging in activities for their own sake, driven by internal rewards such as personal satisfaction, enjoyment, or a sense of achievement.

Extrinsic Motivations

Engaging in behaviors due to external rewards or pressures, such as money, grades, or approval from others.

Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts Theory

Describes the psychological struggles individuals face when making decisions.

Approach Approach Conflicts

Occurs when an individual must choose between two desirable options, leading to a conflict of which positive outcome to pursue.

Avoidance Avoidance Conflict

Occurs when an individual. must choose between two undesirable options, leading to a conflict of which negative outcome to avoid.

Approach Avoidance Conflicts

Occur when an individual is drawn to and repelled by the same option,, leading to a conflict between the desire for a positive outcome and the fear of a negative consequence.

Ghrelin

A hormone produced in the stomach that stimulates appetite.

Leptin

A hormone produced by fat cells that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.