Behaviorial Sciences 5: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress

Motivation

The purpose or driving force behind our actions. Can be extrinsic or intrinsic.

Instincts

Innate fixed patterns of behavior in response to stimuli.

Instinct Theory

People perform certain behaviors because of their evolutionarily programmed instincts.

Arousal

The state of being awake and reactive to stimuli.

Optimal Arousal Theory

Optimal performance requires optimal arousal. Arousal levels that are too high or too low will impede performance.

Drives

Internal states of tension that beget particular behaviors focused on goals. Primary drives: related to biological processes. Secondary drives: stem from learning.

Drive Reduction Theory

Motivation arises from the desire to eliminate drives which create uncomfortable internal states.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological, Safety and security, Love and belonging, Self-esteem, Self-actualization (Lowest —> Highest). Higher needs only produce drives once lower needs are met.

Self-Actualization

Full realization of one’s talents and potential.

Self-Determination Theory

Emphasizes 3 universal needs: autonomy, competence, relatedness.

Incentive Theory

Explains motivation as the desire to pursue rewards and avoid punishments.

Expectancy-Value Theory

The amount of motivation for a task is based on the expectation of success and the value of success.

Opponent-Process Theory

Explains motivation for drug use; as drug use increases, the body counteracts its effects, leading to tolerance and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

House Money Effect

After a prior gain, people become more open to assuming risk since new money is not treated as one’s own.

Gambler’s Fallacy

If something happens more frequently than normal, it will happen less frequently in the future and vice versa.

Prisoner’s Dilemma

Two people act in their own self-interest, but if they cooperated, the result would have been better.

Stress

The physiological and cognitive response to challenges or life changes.

Stress Appraisal

Primary Appraisal: Classifying a potential stressor as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful. Secondary Appraisal: Evaluating if the organism can cope with the stress.

Stressors

Anything that leads to a stress response. Can lead to distress or eustress.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Specific stressors do not have specific responses; they all generate the same general physical stress response.

3 stages of stress

Alarm, resistance, exhaustion. These involve both the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system; release of ACTH leads to increased cortisol.

Emotion

A state of mind, or feeling, that is subjectively experienced based on circumstances, mood, and relationships.

Three Components of Emotion

Cognitive: Subjective experience; Physiological: Changes in autonomic nervous system; Behavioral: Facial expressions and body language.

7 Universal Emotions

Happiness, sadness, contempt, surprise, fear, disgust, and anger.

James-Lange Theory

Behavioral and physiological actions lead to emotions. (Because I am smiling, I must be happy)

Cannon-Bard Theory

Emotional and physiological responses to a stimulus occur simultaneously. They arise from separate and independent areas of the brain.

Schacter-Singer Theory

Two-factor theory of emotion. Physiological arousal and interpretation of context or 'cognitive label' lead to emotion.

Limbic System

Concerned with instincts and mood.