psyc ch. 11

Motivation

The process that explains the initiation, direction, intensity, and persistence of behavior.

Motive

The exact cause, reason, or purpose for behavior.

Instinct theory / instinct doctrine

Motivation comes from automatic/unlearned reasons.

Evolutionary approach

Motivation comes from the need to survive and/or reproduce.

Drive Reduction theory

Motivation comes from an imbalance of homeostasis and we have a desire to reduce a "need."

Optimal-arousal theory / Arousal theory

Motivation comes from a desire to maintain a certain level of arousal.

Yerkes-Dodson law

Related to the Optimal-arousal theory; if we have an easy or well-learned task, we can have high arousal, but if the task is new or not well-learned, we should have low arousal.

Incentive theory

Motivation comes from rewards and punishments.

Opponent process theory

Motivation comes from receiving an opposite response from a stimulus.

Need achievement

The motivation to establish goals and cares about meeting those goals. A person can have "High" or "Low."

Intrinsic motivation

One's motivation comes from inside a person; they do things because they simply want to.

Extrinsic motivation

One's motivation comes from outside sources such as praise, grades, and rewards.

Overjustification effect

Loss of internal motivation due to external factors.

Growth orientation

Individuals with this are happy with what they have and do NOT focus on what they do not have.

Deficiency orientation

Individuals with this are focused on what they do not have and always want more.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

A theory that categorizes human needs into five levels:physiological, safety, belongingness and love, esteem, and self-actualization.

Approach-approach conflict

Two desirable decisions, but you must pick one.

Avoidance-avoidance conflict

Two undesirable decisions, but you must pick one.

Approach-avoidance conflict

When one decision has both a pro and a con.

Multiple approach-avoidance conflict

When you have more than one decision to make and each decision has its own pros and cons.

Emotional intelligence

The ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways; this includes understanding the emotions of others and responding appropriately.

Social referencing

The process of letting another person's emotional state guide your own behavior.

Adaptation-level theory

Tendency to get used to a situation; making it the norm.

Excitation transfer theory

States that arousal from one situation can carry over to an independent situation; affecting behavior.

Sunk-cost fallacy

Tendency to continue/carry-on even though the cost outweighs the benefits.

Display rules

Culturally accepted social norms about how to appropriately express emotions.