ap psych chapters 15-16 vocab

instincts

automatic behaviors performed in response to specific stimuli

drive reduction theory

theory that our behavior is motivated by biological needs

arousal theory

theory that states that we seek an optimum level of excitement or arousal which will keep us from being bored

yerkes-dodson law

theory that we might perform well at an easy task with a very high level of arousal, but the same high level of arousal would prevent us from performing well on a difficult task

incentives

stimuli that we are drawn to due to learning

self-determination theory

autonomy, competence, and relatedness are related to intrinsic motivations involved in self-determination

lateral hypothalamus

hunger center of the brain

ventromedial hypothalamus

satiety/fullness center of the brain

ghrelin

influences short-term hunger

leptin

signals the brain that you have sufficient stored energy+you are not hungry

extrinsic motivations

rewards that we get externally (grades, salary)

intrinsic motivations

rewards we get internally (enjoyment, satisfaction)

approach-approach conflict

when you must choose between two desirable outcomes

avoidance-avoidance conflict

when you must choose between two undesirable outcomes

approach-avoidance conflict

when an event or goal has both attractive and unattractive features

facial feedback hypothesis

we infer our emotions from our facial expressions

cognitive appraisal

mental interpretations

display rules

differences in how cultures and people express emotions

eustress

stress that is positive and motivating

distress

stress that is negative and debilitating

general adaptation syndrome

the general response humans and other animals have to a stressful event

alarm reaction

heart rate increases, blood is diverted to muscles that are needed to react, and the sympathetic nervous system is activated

resistance

our body remains physically ready through the release of hormones, which maintain the state of readiness

exhaustion

our parasympathetic nervous system returns our physiological state to normal

hypertension

high blood pressure

tend-and-befriend theory of stress management

people actively seek ways to tend to their own self-care needs and attend to the needs of friends and family members

emotion-focused coping stress management

people use stress management techniques such as meditation, sometimes combining those techniques with medication

positive psychology

shares the optimistic focus of humanistic psychology with empirical evidence from research studies

subjective well-being

how satisfied a person is with their life overall

virtues

valued aspects of personality

wisdom

not having learned a lot of information but being able to use that information creatively, being open-minded, and retaining curiosity

courage

including persistence and integrity as well as bravery

humanity

an appreciation of, kindness toward, and interest in others

justice

striving to be a socially responsible citizen and actively striving to improve the world

temperance

moderation that eschews excess and encourages self-control

transcendence

seeing beyond oneself and valuing one’s connection with the world, including nature, beauty, and hope for the future

well-being

our perception of how effectively we function in our personal lives and our role in the groups to which we belong

gratitude

thankfulness toward others verbally or in writing, associated with increases in our perceptions of happiness and satisfaction in life

resilience

how some people are more able to adapt effectively when faced with trauma and extreme stress and that some people experience post-traumatic growth after these intensely negative experiences

post-traumatic growth

the ability to construct a meaningful experience in response to a period of trauma