AP Psychology - Biological Bases of Behavior: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress Test

Motivation

all processes involved in starting, directing, and maintaining physical and physiological activities

Instinct Theory

the theory that all behaviors will be determined by innate factors and biologically based behaviors that generally lead to survival

Drive-reduction theory

the idea that a physiological need creates a state of tension, motivating an organism to satisfy their need

Arousal theory of motivation

human motivation aims to seek optimum levels of arousal, without fully eliminating it (not too excited, not too bored)

Yerkes-Dodson law

there is an optimum level of arousal for the best performance of any task (medium amount of arousal is generally the best)

Amount of arousal best for a difficult task

low arousal (studying something difficult in a quiet library)

Amount of arousal best for an easy task

high arousal (studying something easy at a café)

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

a suggested theory for an order of our needs, there are many criticisms to this theory (collectivist cultures have different values, people neglect their basic biological needs for more social or sensation seeking needs)

lateral hypothalamus

triggers hunger

ventromedial hypothalamus

suppresses hunger

glucose

major energy source, signals hunger to our brain when we don’t have enough

insulin

diminishes blood sugar

ghrelin

appetite hormone

ancel key starvation experiment

determined physiological/psychological effects of starvation

set point theory

where someone’s weight thermostat is set (when we fall below it, metabolism slows, more hunger, “fullness level” )

basal metabolic rate (BMR)

when we are semi-starved , this drops. when we overeat we can raise our set point

sexual motivation

necessary for species survival

sexual motivation in lower animals

motivated by hormonal changes in the female

sexual motivation in higher animals

motivated by learning and environment

stages of sex

excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution

alfred kinsey

conducted extensive research on male and female sexual behavior

sexual orientation

if a person wants to date the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes

the need to belong

a motivation to form and maintain enduring and close personal relationships

benefits of relationships

fortifies health, increases self esteem

achievement motivation

desiring significant accomplishment