Motivation, Emotion, and Hunger Study Guide

Motivation

A need or desire that energizes behavior and directs it toward a goal. Influences: Biological, social, and psychological factors.

Instinct/Evolutionary Theory

Behavior is driven by instincts, unlearned and consistent within a species. Criticism: Only names instincts without explaining behavior.

Drive Reduction Theory

Biological needs create arousal, motivating behavior to satisfy those needs. Goal is homeostasis.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

Emphasizes autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Intrinsic motivation leads to well-being.

Optimum Arousal Theory

People seek an ideal level of arousal. Explains sensation-seeking behavior.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Pyramid of human needs from basic (physiological) to higher-level (self-actualization).

Approach-Approach Conflict

Choice between two desirable outcomes.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

A goal has both positive and negative aspects.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

Choice between two undesirable outcomes.

Stress

The body's response to perceived challenges.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Stages of stress response: Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion.

Type A Personality

Competitive, aggressive, high stress.

Type B Personality

Relaxed, low stress.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Describes the relationship between stress and performance. Optimal performance occurs at moderate stress levels.

Overjustification Effect

When extrinsic rewards reduce intrinsic motivation.

Instinct

An unlearned behavior that is consistent throughout a species.

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain a balanced internal state.

Incentive

An external stimulus that motivates behavior.

Autonomy

Control over one's own life.

Competence

Feeling effective and capable.

Relatedness

Feeling connected to others.

Sensation Seeking

The pursuit of experiences that increase arousal.

Self-Actualization

Realizing one's potential, at the top of Maslow's hierarchy.

A.L. Washburn Experiment

Swallowed a balloon to measure stomach contractions and hunger, concluded (incorrectly) that stomach contractions cause hunger.

Hypothalamus

Brain region controlling hunger.

Lateral Hypothalamus (LH)

Triggers hunger. Lesioning it results in no interest in eating.

Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VH)

Suppresses hunger. Destroying it leads to overeating.

Orexin

Released by the LH, triggers hunger.

Ghrelin

Secreted by an empty stomach, increases hunger.

Leptin

Secreted by fat cells, suppresses appetite, increases metabolism.

Obestatin

Related to ghrelin, suppresses hunger.

PYY

Secreted by the digestive tract, suppresses hunger.

Insulin

Secreted by the pancreas, controls glucose (increased insulin = decreased glucose = triggers hunger).

Set Point Theory

Hypothalamus acts like a thermostat to maintain stable weight. Influenced by heredity, genes, eating habits, activity level, and basal metabolic rate.

Settling Point

Suggests weight is also influenced by environmental factors (e.g., availability of food).

External vs. Internal Cues

Obese individuals may respond more to external cues (e.g., time of day) than internal cues (e.g., actual hunger).

Serotonin and Carbohydrates

Carbs increase serotonin, which has a calming effect.

Cultural Influence

Different cultures have different food cravings and habits. Hotter climates use more spices to preserve food.

Situational Factors

People eat more in social settings, with larger portions, and with bigger plates/utensils.

Anorexia Nervosa

15% or more underweight, continues to feel fat. Often in adolescent girls; associated with perfectionism, competitive and protective families.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bingeing and purging (vomiting, laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise). Depression is common, typically affects females in late teens and twenties. Often difficult to identify as weight may remain normal.

Binge-Eating Disorder

Bingeing without purging, leading to depression and guilt.

Cultural and Gender Factors

Western cultures emphasize thinness, contributing to eating disorders. Women are often more critical of their bodies compared to men.

Components of Emotion

Biological: Physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, sweating). Behavioral: Observable expressions (e.g., facial expressions, body language). Cognitive: Thoughts and interpretations of emotional experiences.

James-Lange Theory

Emotion arises from awareness of physiological responses (e.g., 'I feel afraid because my heart is pounding').

Cannon-Bard Theory

Emotion and physiological response occur simultaneously (e.g., 'My heart is pounding as I feel fear').

Schachter-Singer (Two-Factor) Theory

Emotion depends on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling (e.g., 'I'm afraid because my heart is pounding and I label the situation as dangerous').

Zajonc & LeDoux Theory

Some emotions occur instantly without conscious thought (e.g., being startled by a noise before knowing what it is).

Lazarus Theory

Cognitive appraisal (sometimes unconscious) determines emotional response.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Triggers fight-or-flight response (increased heart rate, adrenaline).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Calms the body after a stress response.

Amygdala

Processes fear and other strong emotions.

Prefrontal Cortex

Regulates emotions and decision-making.

Nucleus Accumbens

Associated with pleasure and reward.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Expressions can influence emotional experience (e.g., smiling can make you feel happier).

Paul Ekman's Research

Six universal facial expressions—happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, disgust.

Culture & Emotion

Individualistic cultures show more intense emotional expression than collectivistic cultures.

Body Language

Nonverbal communication can reveal emotions.

Gender Differences

Women are generally better at detecting emotions; anger is often associated with men.

Fear

Involves the amygdala, can be innate or learned, influenced by genetics.

Anger

Often results from perceived injustices; chronic anger can lead to health issues.

Happiness

Linked to well-being, relationships, and optimism.

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon

Happiness increases altruistic behavior.

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon

People adapt to happiness levels based on past experiences.

Relative Deprivation

Comparing oneself to others can decrease happiness.

Polygraph Tests

Measure physiological responses (heart rate, perspiration) but are not always reliable.

Microexpressions

Brief facial expressions that can indicate true emotions.

Emotion

A response involving physiological arousal, expressive behavior, and conscious experience.

Cognition

Mental processes related to awareness, perception, and interpretation.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary bodily functions, including emotional responses.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The idea that facial expressions can influence emotions.

Spillover Effect

When arousal from one event influences reactions to another event.

Display Rules

Cultural norms that dictate how emotions should be expressed.