AP Psych 4.6-4.7

Drive-reduction theory

A theory that motivation arises from biological needs that create a state of tension, which an organism seeks to reduce.

Homeostasis

The body’s tendency to maintain a balanced internal state, such as regulating temperature or glucose levels.

Arousal theory

The theory that people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal rather than eliminate it.

Optimal level of arousal

The level of arousal at which an individual performs best varies by task and individual.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A principle stating that performance increases with arousal up to a certain point, after which it decreases.

Self-determination theory

A theory that suggests people are driven by a need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Elaboration Likelihood Model

A theory explaining how people are persuaded, suggesting that persuasion can occur through either a central route (careful consideration of arguments) or a peripheral route (focus on superficial cues).

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation that comes from internal desires, such as personal satisfaction or enjoyment.

Incentive theory

The idea that behavior is motivated by external rewards or incentives.

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external factors, such as money, grades, or social approval.

Instincts

Innate, biologically programmed behaviors that are consistent across a species.

Lewin’s motivational conflicts theory

A theory that describes how people experience conflicts when making choices.

Approach-approach conflicts

A conflict between two desirable options.

Approach-avoidance conflicts

A conflict where a single option has both appealing and unappealing aspects.

Avoidance-avoidance conflicts

A conflict between two undesirable options.

Sensation-seeking theory

The idea that some individuals have a higher need for varied, novel, and complex experiences.

Thrill seeking

Engaging in activities that involve excitement and risk.

Adventure seeking

The desire to explore new places and engage in exciting activities.

Disinhibition

The tendency to seek out social stimulation and take risks due to reduced social restraints.

Boredom susceptibility

A tendency to experience boredom quickly and seek new experiences.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates appetite and promotes hunger.

Leptin

A hormone that signals the brain to reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure involved in regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, and other homeostatic functions.

Pituitary gland

The “master gland” that regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Affect

A broad term referring to emotions, moods, and feelings.

Internal and external factors

Influences on emotions and motivation that come from within (e.g., hormones) or the environment (e.g., social cues).

Physiological vs cognitive experiences

The distinction between bodily reactions (e.g., heart rate increase) and mental interpretations of emotions.

Cognitive label

The interpretation or explanation a person gives to physiological arousal, as proposed in the two-factor theory of emotion.

Facial-feedback hypothesis

The idea that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

Cognitive appraisal

The evaluation of a situation that determines how one experiences an emotion.

Display rules

Socially learned norms that govern how and when emotions should be expressed.

Elicitors

Triggers or stimuli that provoke emotional responses.