Motivation and Decision Making

Drive-Reduction Theory

Motivation to engage in certain behaviors is driven by the need to reduce psychological drives or tensions within our bodies

Homeostasis

Body’s tendency to maintain a stable, balanced internal environment despite changing external conditions

Arousal Theory

Humans are motivated to maintain an optimal level of physiolgical arousal (alertness and engagement), seeking stimulation when bored and reducing it when overstimulated

Optimal Arousal

Ideal state of physiological or mental alertness, neither too bored or too overwhelmed, that individual strive to maintain peak performance

Yerkes-Dodson Law

States performance on tasks improves up to a point with increased physiological or mental arousal (stress), but beyond that further increases in arousal can lead to decreased performance

Self-Determination Theory

Human behavior is driven by innate need for growth, focusing on intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

Drive to engage in an activity for its own sake rather than for external pressures or rewards

Extrinsic Motivation

Drive to engage in behaviors to earn external rewards or avoid punishment, rather than for personal enjoyment

Incentive Theory

Behavior is primarily motivated by desire to attain external rewards (positive incentives) and avoid punishment (negative incentives)

Instincts

Innate, fixed patterns of behaviors in response to certain stimuli

Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts

Individuals are motivated to resolve conflicts that can be categorized into three types: approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, and approach-avoidance

Approach-Approach

Choose between two equally desirable, positive outcomes. Causes low stress because both options are appealing

Approach-Avoidance

Single goal, option, or event has both attractive (positive) and repelling (negative) aspects. Some hesitation in decision-making

Avoidance-Avoidance

Choose between two equally undesirable, negative, or “lesser of two evils” options. High stress and can lead to procrastination or paralysis

Sensation-Seeking Theory

Personality trait characterized by pursuit of novel, varied, and intense experiences, often associated with risk taking behavior

Experience Seeking

Desire for new, complex, and intense sensory or mental experiences

Thrill or Adventure

Desire to engage in physically risky or stimulating activities. Motivated by need to for novel sensations, enjoy not fear dangers.

Disinhibition

Inability to restrain impulsive, inappropriate, or risky behaviors, often due to frontal lobe damage, alcohol/drug use or high emotional states

Boredom Susceptibility

An aversion to repetitive, dull, or routine situations, often leading to restless discontent

Eating Motivation

Complex biological, psychological, and social/environmental factors that drive an individual to seek and consume food

Ghrelin

Hormone primarily produced in stomach that plays crucial role in regulating hunger, appetite, and energy balance

Leptin

Hormone produced primarily by adipose (fat) tissue that plays a crucial role in regulating hunger, appetite, and energy balance within the body

Hypothalamus

Small region in brain that serves as main control center for autonomic functions. Releases hormones and regulates body temperature

Pituitary Gland

Pea sized “master gland” located in the base of the brain, controlled by hypothalamus, that regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Hunger

Physiological, internal state signaling a need for food (driven by ghrelin and low blood glucose)

Satiety

Feeling of fullness or satisfaction after eating, signaling cessation of hunger

External Factors (cues)

Situational or environmental factors that can influence someone’s behavior

Emotion/affect

Involves both internal and external factors that influence how a person feels, differs from reasoning or logic

Broad Historical views on how emotional unfolds

1. James-Lange Theory

   1. Emotion results from awareness of physiological responses to stimuli (body reacts first)

2. Schachter-Singer two factor theory

   1. To experience emotion must be physically aroused and cognitively label arousal based on environment

3. Cannon-Bard Theory

   1. Emotion-arousing triggers physiological responses and subjective experience of emotions simultaneously

4. Lazarus Appraisal

   1. Experience of emotions depends on evaluation of the event

Facial-Feedback Hypothesis

Facial expression can influence and regulate our

Broaden and Build Theory

Positive emotions broaden and individual’s momentary mindset-expanding their awareness and thought-action repertoires-which in turn builds lasting personal resources

Display Rules

Social and cultural norms that dictate how and when emotions should be expressed in different contexts

Universality of emotional expression

Certain basic facial expressions are recognized and expressed across all cultures, suggesting an evolutionary, biological basis rather than a purely cultural one