Psych!

Motivation

The process that initiates, guides, and sustains goal-oriented behaviors.

Instinct

A behavior that is genetically programmed and triggered by specific stimuli.

Drive-reduction theory

The theory that motivation arises from the desire to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs, like hunger or thirst.

Incentives

External stimuli or rewards that motivate behavior.

Hierarchy of needs

Maslow's theory that people are motivated by a series of needs, from basic physiological needs up to self-actualization.

Glucose

The primary source of energy for the body's cells, especially the brain.

Set point

The weight level that the body strives to maintain through adjustments in metabolism and hunger.

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)

The rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to maintain basic bodily functions.

PYY

A hormone produced by the digestive system that helps to reduce appetite.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates appetite and is produced when the stomach is empty.

Orexin

A hormone produced in the hypothalamus that increases appetite and arousal.

Leptin

A hormone produced by fat cells that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.

Biological needs

The essential requirements for survival, like food, water, and sleep.

Physical needs

Basic bodily needs for health and functioning, like nutrition, rest, and hydration.

Psychological needs

The emotional and cognitive needs for fulfillment, such as love, belonging, and self-esteem.

Needs

Basic requirements for survival or well-being, such as physiological and psychological needs.

Drives

A state of tension or arousal caused by biological or psychological needs that motivates behavior to reduce that tension.

Arousal

A state of physiological alertness or excitement, often motivating actions.

Ventromedial hypothalamus

A part of the brain that signals when to stop eating, playing a key role in regulating hunger.

Homeostasis

The body's process of maintaining a stable internal environment, like temperature or fluid balance.

Coronary heart disease

A condition caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, often linked to stress and unhealthy behaviors.

Muzafer Sherif

A social psychologist known for his work on intergroup conflict and cooperation, especially the Robbers Cave experiment.

Realistic Conflict Theory

A theory that prejudice and conflict arise when groups compete for scarce resources.

Superordinate Goals

Shared goals that require cooperation between groups, often used to reduce intergroup conflict.

Conflict

A perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas between individuals or groups.

Cooperation

Working together toward a common goal or interest.

Aggression

Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.

Altruism

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others, often manifesting as helping behaviors.

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

A theory that frustration often leads to aggressive behavior.

Limbic System

A group of structures in the brain involved in emotion, motivation, and memory, including the amygdala and hippocampus.

Frontal Lobes

Part of the brain involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling emotions.

Testosterone

A hormone associated with male characteristics and aggression, though present in both genders.

Glucocorticoids

Steroid hormones, including cortisol, involved in the stress response.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when other people are present.

Diffusion of Responsibility

The tendency for individuals to feel less responsible for taking action when others are present.

Social Exchange Theory

A theory that social behavior is a result of an exchange process aimed at maximizing benefits and minimizing costs.

Norm of Reciprocity

The social norm that suggests people should repay others for what they have received from them.

Social Responsibility Norm

The expectation that people will help those dependent on them or in need, without expecting a reward.

Social Traps

Situations where individuals or groups act in their own self-interest but ultimately harm the collective well-being.

Self-interest

The focus on one's own benefit, well-being, or advantage.

Out-group

A group of people perceived as different or outside of one's own group.

In-group

A group with which an individual identifies and feels a sense of belonging.

Instinct Theory

The theory that behavior is driven by innate biological instincts.

Evolutionary Perspective

The perspective that behavior is driven by natural selection and the survival of the fittest.

Optimal Arousal Theory

The theory that individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal, not too high or too low.

Stress

A physiological and psychological response to perceived challenges or threats.

Boredom

A state of mind in which a person feels uninterested or unstimulated by their environment or activities.

Physiological Needs

Basic needs for survival, such as food, water, and shelter.

Esteem

The need for respect, recognition, and a sense of accomplishment.

Self-Actualization

The realization of one's full potential and personal growth.

Hunger

The physiological need for food.

Metabolism

The process by which the body converts food into energy.

Minnesota Hunger Experiment

A study conducted during World War II to explore the effects of starvation on physical and psychological health.

Semistarvation

A condition of near-starvation, used in experiments to study the impact on the body and mind.

Social Isolation

The state of being separated from others, either physically or emotionally.

Autonomy

The need for independence and the ability to make one's own choices.

Ostracism

The exclusion or rejection of an individual from a group.

Social Exclusion

The process of being excluded or marginalized from social, economic, or cultural activities.

Emotion

A complex psychological state involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience.

Physiological Arousal

The body's physical response to emotions, such as changes in heart rate or breathing.

Expressive Behaviors

Observable actions or gestures that communicate emotions.

Conscious Experience

The mental awareness of emotions and their impact on behavior.

James-Lange Theory

The theory that emotions result from the perception of physiological responses to stimuli.

Cannon-Bard Theory

The theory that emotion and physiological responses occur simultaneously, not sequentially.

Two-Factor Theory

The theory that emotion is based on two factors: physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

Cognition

The mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding, including thinking, memory, and perception.

Spillover Effect

The transfer of arousal from one event to another, affecting emotional responses.

Epinephrine

A hormone also known as adrenaline, which is released during stressful or emotional situations.

Adrenaline

A hormone that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy, particularly during fight-or-flight situations.

High-Road

The slower, conscious processing pathway for emotions, involving the cortex.

Low-Road

The faster, automatic emotional response pathway that involves the amygdala.

Thalamus

A brain structure that processes sensory information and directs it to the appropriate areas of the brain.

Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-order functions like thinking, decision-making, and perception.

Left Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain associated with positive emotions and approach behavior.

Right Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain associated with negative emotions and withdrawal behavior.

Personality

The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.

Sanguine

A personality type characterized by sociability, optimism, and cheerfulness.

Id

In Freudian theory, the part of the personality that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.

Ego

In Freudian theory, the part of the personality that operates on the reality principle, mediating between the id and the superego.

Superego

In Freudian theory, the part of the personality that represents internalized moral standards and ideals.

Trait theory

The theory that personality is composed of a number of traits, which are stable over time.

Social Cognitive Perspective

A perspective on personality that emphasizes the interaction between individuals and their environment in shaping behavior.

The Big Five

A model of personality based on five broad traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Openness

A personality trait characterized by curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try new things.

Conscientiousness

A personality trait characterized by being organized, responsible, and reliable.

Extraversion

A personality trait characterized by sociability, talkativeness, and a preference for stimulation.

Agreeableness

A personality trait characterized by kindness, trustworthiness, and a cooperative attitude.

Neuroticism

A personality trait characterized by emotional instability.

Reciprocal Determinism

The theory proposed by Albert Bandura that personality is shaped through the interaction of behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors.

OCEAN / CANOE

Acronyms representing the five major traits in the Big Five personality model: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN) or Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness, and Extraversion (CANOE).

Id

In Freudian theory, the part of the personality that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.