(Unit 8: Motivation)

motivation

Process by which activities are started, directed and continued

extrinsic motivation

When a person performs an action because it leads to desired outcome that is separate from the person

intrinsic motivation

When a person performs an action because the act of doing it is rewarding or pleasurable

instincts

Biologically determined patterns of behavior in humans and animals

need

Requirement of something physical that is necessary for survival

drive

Psychological and physical tension (arousal) which arises when there is a need that is not being met

drive-reduction theory

Assumes that behaviors arise as a result of trying to minimize the tension that arises from drives and to satisfy a need

homeostasis

The tendency of the body to maintain a balanced internal state

primary drives

Drives that involve innate needs of the body

secondary drives

Drives that are learned through experience or conditioning

need for achievement

A strong desire to succeed in attaining goals

need for affiliation

Need for friendly interactions and relationships with others

need for power

Need to have control or influence others

stimulus motive

Innate desire for stimulation such as curiosity, exploration and thrill-seeking

arousal theory

Idea that people have an optimal level of tension (stress) which we seek to maintain by increasing or decreasing stimulation

Yerkes-Dodson law

States that easy tasks require more arousal for optimal performance while difficult tasks are best performed with less stress. Most tasks require moderate arousal for optimal performance.

sensation seeker

Someone who needs more arousal than the average person

incentives

things that attract or lure people into action

incentive approach

Theory that most behavior is explained by the desire to obtain rewards

expectancy-value theory

Suggests that the value of rewards differ from person to person based on our beliefs, values and expectations

self-actualization

Maslow's idea that each person has a need to realize their full unique potential

self-determination theory

Deci and Ryan's theory asserting that all humans have three basic, innate organismic needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy and explains the benefits of intrinsic motivation

leptin

hormone secreted by fat cells, when abundant the brain increases metabolism and decreases hunger

hierarchy of needs

Maslow's theory suggesting that our most basic physical needs must be met before we are motivated by higher level psychological and existential needs

glucose

form of sugar in our blood that provides energy.

set point

the point at which an individual's "weight thermostat" is supposedly set

basal metabolic rate

the body's resting rate of energy expenditure

ventromedial hypothalamus

responsible for decreasing feelings of hunger

lateral hypothalamus

responsible for increasing feelings of hunger

insulin

A protein hormone secreted by the pancreas that is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, reduces glucose levels in the blood causing us to feel hungry

glucagons

hormones that are secreted by the pancreas to control the levels of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the body by increasing the level of glucose in the bloodstream

orexin

hunger-triggering hormone secreted by hypothalamus