AP Psychology - Unit 10: Motivation

Motivation

a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior

Instinct theory

belief that behavior is motivated by instinct, like fight or flight

Drive-reduction theory

the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need, like hunger and eating

Incentives theory

says motivation can stem from external stimuli, like studying to get a good grade

Achievement motivation

a desire for significant accomplishment motivates behavior

Arousal theory

a theory of motivation suggesting that people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal, which varies between individuals and can explain curiosity-driven behaviors

Yerkes-Dodson law

the principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs

prioritized pyramid of needs that motivate behaviors, where some needs must be met before people are motivated to fulfill other needs

Criticisms of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs

it's too rigid, some needs are left out and others can eclipse

Top tier of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

self-actualization - the desire to become the most that one can be

Second tier of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

esteem - respect, self-esteem, status, recognition, strength

Third tier of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

love and belonging - friendship, intimacy, family, connection

Fourth tier of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

safety - stability, health, security, employment

Bottom tier of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

physiological needs - food, water, warmth, shelter

Hunger

the natural physical drive to eat, prompted by the body's need for food

Physiology of hunger

stomach contractions (pangs) send signals to the brain making us aware of our hunger, found by Cannon & Washburn

Set point

the point at which an individual's "weight thermostat" is supposedly set, predisposed by heredity

Basal metabolic rate

the body's normal rate of energy expenditure

Glucose

the form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissues; when its levels are low, we feel hunger

Appetite hormones

ghelin, orexin, and insulin

Insulin

a protein hormone synthesized in the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels

Ghelin and orexin

hormones that stimulate hunger

Hypothalamus with relation to hunger

brain structure that regulates hunger and thirst

Ventromedial hypothalamus

suppresses hunger

Lateral hypothalamus

stimulates hunger

Memory influences on hunger

we remember our last meal and anticipate our next one, which influences how hungry we feel

Sensory influences on hunger

the taste, smell, mouth feel, and sight of food all influence wanting and liking a food item, although there's a universal favor for sweet and salty

Sociocultural influences on hunger

people generally eat more when in a group, and meal customs shape adult learning behavior

Eating disorder

a mental disorder that reveals itself through abnormal behaviors related to food

Anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder in which an irrational fear of weight gain leads people to starve themselves even though they're already underweight

Bullimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging

Nurture influences on eating disorders

possible childhood abuse, familial emphasis on weight, unrealistic idea of ideal gender identities, media

Nature influences on eating disorders

genetics

Sexual motivation

the desire to have pleasurable erotic experiences

Neuroendocrine influence on sexual motivation

made of hypothalamus and pituitary gland, releases hormones like androgens and estrogens

Socio-cultural influence on sexual motivation

defines what's sexually attractive and the rules on acceptable sexual partners and practices

Behavioral influence on sexual motivation

animals seek pleasure and repeat behaviors leading to pleasure, and stimuli associated with sexual arousal become rewarding

Evolutionary influence on sexual motivation

sexual desire rooted in reproductive success of ancestors, cross-cultural consistencies in sexual partner practices, sexuality more loosely linked to humans than other animals

Alfred Kinsey

his research described human sexual behavior and was controversial (for its methodology & findings)

Alfred Kinsey's reports on sexuality

he interviewed thousands of men and women, finding that both sexes were more sexually active than socially accepted

Discoveries from Alfred Kinsey's reports on sexuality

he found that women are as experienced in sex as males, most men and women have had premarital sex and masturbated, and homosexual acts are fairly common

Kinsey scale

0 to 6 scale used to measure sexuality, 0 being solely heterosexual, 6 being solely homosexual

Sexual orientation

an enduring pattern of sexual attraction

_______% of men are homosexual

3-4%

_______% of women are homosexual

1-2%

Sexual orientation is determined by. . .

a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors

Sexual response cycle

the four stages of sexual responding described by Masters and Johnson - excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution

Refractory period

a resting period after orgasm, during which a man cannot achieve another orgasm

Sexual disorder

a problem that consistently impairs sexual arousal or functioning

Obesity is influenced by. . .

genetics (thrifty genes), environment, behavior