A(6)- Maslow's Motives (Q2)

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

• Example: Dr. Freedia studying how stress impacts mice behavior.

Nature

The influence of heredity (genes and biological factors) on behavior and mental processes.

• Example: Dr. Rojas examining the influence of genes on academic performance.

• Example: Identical twins’ similarities in traits (genetically determined).

Evolutionary Perspective

A viewpoint that explains behavior as shaped by natural selection to increase survival and reproduction.

• Example: Dr. Vaughn studying how traits pass to future generations for survival.

Natural Selection

The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on more frequently over generations.

• Example: Advantageous behaviors or traits becoming more common in a population.

Behavior Genetics

The study of how genes and environment interact to influence behavior and mental processes.

• Twin studies comparing identical vs. fraternal twins’ traits.

Mutations

Random changes in genes that can introduce new traits into a population.

Environment

All external influences on behavior, including family, culture, education, peers, and experiences.

• Dr. Freedia’s cage changes for mice.

Heredity

The genetic transmission of traits from parents to offspring.

• Example: Identical twins sharing 100% of their genes.

• Example: Dr. Grant studying shared human genes.

Genes

Segments of DNA that carry instructions for inherited traits.

• Example: Dr. Rojas examining how genes influence academic performance.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material (all genes) in an organism.

• Example: Humans share most of their genome across all people (Dr. Grant).

Nurture

The influence of environmental factors and life experiences on behavior and development.

• Example: Dr. Yondu providing a social skills intervention to see effects on emotional stability.

• Example: Prenatal cocaine exposure in rats affecting hyperactivity.

• Example: Frequent housing changes in mice increasing stress hormone levels in offspring.

Eugenics

A discredited movement that aimed to improve the human population by controlling reproduction.

• Example: Misusing genetics to justify discrimination.

Identical (Monozygotic) Twins

Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg (zygote) and share 100% of their genes.

• Example: Dr. Koulianos expecting identical twins raised together to be most alike in athletic ability.

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

Twins who develop from two separate fertilized eggs (zygotes) and share about 50% of their genes.

Interaction

The idea that genes and environment work together to shape behavior and mental processes.

• Example: Identical twins raised apart show differences due to environment.

• Example: Prenatal cocaine exposure affects hyperactivity in rats.

Epigenetics

How environmental factors can turn genes on or off without changing DNA 🧬
- Example: Chronic stress can activate genes linked to anxiety 😟

motivation

A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

physiological need

A basic bodily requirement such as hunger or thirst.

• Example: Karl’s hunger when he arrives home.

homeostasis is

the body’s tendency to maintain a balanced internal state.

incentives

External stimuli that motivate behavior.

• Example: The freshly baked bread Karl smells.

drive- reduction theory

behavior is motivated by the desire to reduce drives (uncomfortable physiological need) and return the body to a state of balance (homeostasis). → drives: (e.g., hunger, thirst).

• Example: Prunella drinks water to reduce thirst.

• Example: Feeling hungry (need) + smelling bread (incentive) → Karl eats to reduce the drive.

arousal theory

• People are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal.

optimal level of arousal

The level of alertness at which performance is maximized.

Yerkes-dodson law

Performance increases with arousal up to a point, then decreases.

• Example: Students performed worse doing calculus in front of experts due to high arousal.

self-determination

humans thrive when three basic psychological needs are met

• Autonomy – feeling in control of your choices

• Competence – feeling capable

• Relatedness – feeling connected to others

intrinsic motivation

A desire to perform a behavior for its own sake.

• A student studies psychology because they genuinely love understanding human behavior.

extrinsic motivation

A desire to perform a behavior to receive external rewards or avoid punishment. • Example: Nolan studies because his teacher praises him.

insticnts

Innate, biologically rooted behaviors.

• Example: A baby grasping a finger placed in their palm (grasp reflex).

instinct theory

A theory that suggests behaviors are driven by innate tendencies and instincts that are biologically programmed.

Lewins motivational conflicts theory

A theory that describes how individuals experience conflict when choosing between different goals or desires, categorized into approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, and approach-avoidance conflicts.

approach-approach conflict

A conflict between two desirable options.

approach-avoidance conflict

A conflict involving one option with both positive and negative aspects.

avoidance-avoidance conflict

A conflict between two undesirable options.

sensation-seeking theory

Some individuals seek high levels of arousal and novel experiences.

hormones

Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to regulate body processes 🩸

• 😴 Melatonin → sleep

😡 Adrenaline → stress response

Ghrelin

The “hunger hormone” that increases appetite 📈

Example:

• ⏰ Stomach releases ghrelin → you feel hungry

• 🥪 Signals brain it’s time to eat

Leptin

The “fullness hormone” that decreases appetite 📉

Example:

• 🍽 After eating → leptin released

• 🧠 Tells brain to stop eating

Glucose

Definition:
A type of sugar in the blood that provides energy ⚡

Example:

• 🍞 Eating carbs → glucose rises

  • 🧠 Low glucose → hunger signal

Hypothalamus

Brain area that maintains homeostasis and links the nervous system to the endocrine system ⚖

Example:

• 🌡 Regulates body temperature

• 🍽 Controls hunger & thirst

• 🧪 Directs the pituitary gland

Pituitary Gland

The “master gland” that controls other endocrine glands 🧬

Example:

• 📏 Releases growth hormone

• 🧠 Takes orders from hypothalamus

Orexin

Brain chemical that stimulates hunger and arousal 🔥
Example:

• 🍔 High orexin → increased appetite

  • 👀 Keeps you awake + motivated to eat

PYY (Peptide YY)

Hormone that reduces hunger after eating 🛑
Example:

• 🍕 Released by intestines after meals

  • 🧠 Signals brain: “I’m full”

Set Point

Body’s preferred or stable weight, maintained by metabolism and hunger 🔄
Example:

• 📈 Weight drops → hunger increases

  • 📉 Weight rises → appetite decreases

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Energy your body uses at rest to stay alive ⚡
Example:

• 🛌 Breathing, heartbeat, temperature control

• 📉 Eating less → BMR drops → weight loss slowsThe rate at which your body expends energy while at rest, necessary for basic physiological functions.

Metabolic Adaptation

Body’s ability to adjust metabolism in response to calorie intake ⚖
Example:

• 🍽 Eating less → body conserves energy

  • 🐢 Slower metabolism over time

Research methods used to support the genetic influence on weight?

twin studies comparing identical and fraternal twins to study genetic influence 🧪

• Similar weights in identical twins—even when raised apart—support a genetic influence on weight.

humanistic psychology

Focuses on human potential, growth, and self-fulfillment 🌟
Example:

• Therapists encourage clients to explore feelings and personal goals

• Emphasizes free will and conscious choices

unconditional positive regard

Accepting and valuing a person without conditions ❤
Example:

• 👂 Therapist listens without judgment

  • Parents loving a child no matter what

self-actualizing tendency

The natural drive to reach one’s full potential ✨
Example:

• 🧗 Person striving for personal growth and meaning

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

• Self-Actualization

• Esteem Needs

• Belongingness & Love Needs

• Safety Needs

• Physiological Needs

self concept

A person's perception of their own identity, beliefs, and abilities; how one views oneself in relation to the world.

ostracism

The experience of being ignored, excluded, or rejected by others.

• Sandra feels shunned after being left out of a party — she is experiencing ostracism.

achievement motivation

The desire to master skills, meet standards, and achieve excellence.

• The graph showing a positive correlation between achievement motivation and mental health reflects this concept.

intrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by internal satisfaction, curiosity, or enjoyment.

• JaCorie works hard because he enjoys learning — intrinsic motivation predicts long‑term academic persistence.

extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards such as money, grades, or praise

• Josslyn works hard because her parents pay her for good grades — short term motivation.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

A theory stating that humans need autonomy, competence, and relatedness to thrive

• Close relationships support the SDT need for relatedness, which is why they increase meaning in life.

Public Commitment (goal-setting principle)

Stating goals to others increases accountability and follow‑through.

• Fergie telling friends and family about her goal improves her chances of earning a high exam score.

one-trial conditioning

Learning that occurs after a single, biologically meaningful event (such as illness, pain, or danger), because the association is strong enough to form immediately.

• Example: Esther ate a hamburger once, got sick 🤢, and immediately avoided hamburgers afterward — a classic one‑trial learning effect.

biological preparedness

The evolutionary tendency to form certain associations more easily because they aid survival.

• Example: Dr. Cao studies why organisms quickly learn to avoid foods that once made them sick 🧬, showing how survival‑related associations are learned faster.

habituation

A decrease in response to a repeated, harmless stimulus over time.

• Example: If Ari eventually stopped jumping out, Yaya would get used to the grocery store wall and stop reacting 🔁 — but because the scares continued, she developed fear instead of habituation.

primary reinforcers

A reinforcer that is naturally rewarding because it satisfies a biological need.

• Example: Giving a hungry child food 🍎 increases the behavior because food is inherently rewarding.

secondary reinforcers

A reinforcer that becomes rewarding through learning because it is associated with a primary reinforcer.

• Example: Greg sells cards because they are linked to receiving praise or bonuses 💵

reinforcement discrimination

Learning to respond to a specific stimulus because only that stimulus is reinforced.

• Example: A dog learns that sitting only earns a treat when the owner says “Sit!” in a firm tone 🎯, not in a playful voice.

reinforcement generalization

When a behavior reinforced in one situation spreads to similar situations.

• Example: A student praised for raising her hand in math class starts raising her hand in other classes too 🙋‍♀.

shaping

Reinforcing successive steps toward a complex behavior that the learner cannot perform all at once.

• Example: Training a dolphin by rewarding each small step toward jumping through a hoop 🐬.

instinctive drift

When an animal’s biological instincts gradually replace or interfere with learned behaviors.

• Example: A raccoon trained to drop coins eventually starts rubbing and hoarding them 🦝 because instinct takes over.

interviewer illusion

the tendency for interviewers to overestimate their ability to accurately judge a candidate.

• Example: An interviewer thinks a 10‑minute chat reveals someone’s true personality 😎

personnel psychology

The subfield that selects, hires, trains, and evaluates workers.

• Example: A company uses assessments to choose the best job applicants 📝

human factors psychology

The subfield that designs tools, machines, and environments to fit human abilities.

• Example: Engineers redesign a control panel so workers don’t press the wrong button 🔧

organizational psychology

The subfield that studies workplace motivation, leadership, teamwork, and satisfaction.

• Example: A consultant helps improve communication between team members 👥

positive psychology

The subfield focused on human strengths, well‑being, and flourishing.

• Example: A workplace program encourages gratitude and strengths‑based reflection 🌱

strengths-based hiring

A modern personnel psychology approach emphasizing candidates’ job‑relevant abilities over past experience.

• Example: A company hires someone for their creativity rather than years in the field 💡

past job experience (deemphasized)

traditional hiring focus now less emphasized in favor of strengths and potential.

• Example: A résumé with many past jobs matters less than demonstrated skill 🎯

McClelland’s Theory of Needs

A motivational framework proposing that achievement, affiliation, and power drive workplace behavior and performance.

• achievement need

• affiliation need

• power need

• high achievement motivation

• high affiliation motivation

• high power motivation

• personal power

• socialized power

achievement need

McClelland’s motivational need to excel, meet high standards, and accomplish challenging goals.

• Example: Bovary practices trumpet daily to become first chair 🎺

affiliation need

The motivation to form close, meaningful social relationships.

• Paola believes humans are “social animals,” which reflects a high affiliation need.

power need

The desire to influence, control, or direct others’ behavior.

• Example: A student volunteers to lead the group presentation and assign roles 🗣

High achievement motivation

Preference for moderately challenging tasks, personal responsibility, and clear feedback.

• Example: A worker picks a project that is difficult but doable so they can prove their skill 🎯

high affiliation motivation

Preference for cooperation, social harmony, and avoiding conflict.

• Example: A team member smooths over disagreements to keep everyone feeling connected 😊

high power motivation

Preference for leadership roles, status, and opportunities to influence others.

• Example: A student runs for club president to guide the group’s direction 👑

personal power

A form of power motivation focused on controlling others for personal gain.

• Example: A manager insists on making every decision alone to feel important 💼

socialized power

A form of power motivation focused on helping groups or organizations succeed.

• Example: A coach motivates the team to improve so everyone benefits 🏆

Type A vs Type B

A:

• planned organizer, not procrastinator, rigid, mindful of risks

B

• relaxed, spontaneous, more flexible in approach, enjoys leisure activities, less organized, more creative