AP Psych - 4.6 Terms MATCH Game Review

Motivation

all the internal factors that direct our behavior towards a goal

Physiological Need

the body's way of whispering (or sometimes screaming) what it can't live without

Homeostasis

nature's built-in regualtor, always workung to keep life in perfect balance

Incentives

life's dangling carrots that keep us chasing success, rewards, and satisfaction

Drive-Reduction Theory

need to restore homeostasis - when discomfort fuels action

Arousal Theory

motivated to seek optimal level of arousal

Optimal Level of Arousal

the "goldilocks" zone of energy—neither too hyped nor too dull

Yerkes-Dodson Law

moderate level of arousal is moderate for best performance level

Self-Determination Theory

one needs to feel autonomous to be motivated

Intrinsic Motivation

fueled by passion, not prizes - a fire that burns from within

Extrinsic Motivation

chasing trophies, paychecks, and applause - the push from the outside world

Overjustification Effect

if a child is already intrinsically motivated to do something, an extrinsic reward causes the behavior to decrease

Instincts

the wisdom written in our DNA, guiding us innately

Lewin's Motivational Conflicts Theory

life's crossroads, where every choice comes with it's own battle

Approach-Approach Conflict

choosing between two dream vacations - either way, you win, but you can't have both

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

the chocolate cake dilemma - tempting but laced with guilt

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

stuck between a rock and hard place - neither option feels like a win

Sensation-Seeking Theory

thrill and adventure-seeking, experience-seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility

Hormones

the body's chemical messengers driven by the endocrine system

Ghrelin

the "feed me" hormone - your stomach's personal alarm clock for hunger

Leptin

the hormone for the appetite's off-switch, telling you when the feast is over

Glucose

the body's fuel gauge—too low, and everything starts running on fumes

Hypothalamus

the "4 Fs" (fight, flight, feeding, and "reproduction")

Pituitary Gland

the tiny master conductor, orchestrating hormones from head to toe