PSYC102: CH9 - Motivation & Emotion

Emotion

Motivated mental state or feeling associated with our our evaluation of our experiences

Discrete Emotions Theory

Theory that humans experience a small number of distinct emotions that are rooted in our biology

Primary Emotions

Small number (perhaps 7) of emotions believed by some theorists to be cross-culturally universal

Display Rules

Cross-cultural “guidelines” for how and when to express emotions

Cognitive Theories of Emotion

Propose emotions are products of thinking

James-Lange Theory of Emotion

Emotions result from our interpretations of our bodily reactions to stimuli

Somatic Marker Theory

Theory proposing that we use our “gut reactions” to help us determine how we should act

Cannon-Bard Theory

An emotion provoking event leads simultaneously to an emotion and to bodily reactions

Two-Factor Theory

Emotions are produced by an undifferentiated state of arousal along with an attribution (explanation) of that arousal

Motivation

Drives that propel us in a specific direction, used for achieving goals

Goals

• Physiological, Hedonic, Gain, Social, Cognitive

Drives

Internal states caused by lack of equilibrium in an organism’s physiological needs

Drive Reduction Theory

• Certain drives motivate us to act in ways that minimize aversive states

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A non-linear relationship between arousal and performance

Approach Drives

Motivated toward something desirable or rewarding

• Studying to get a scholarship

• Eating a dessert

Avoidance Drive

Motivated away from something unpleasant, harmful, or threatening

• Not touching a hot stove

• Avoiding an argument

Incentive Theories

We are motivated to pursue goals by positive outcomes

Extrinsic Motivation

People are motivated by external goals

• Doing chores to get an allowance

• Studying to get a good grade

Intrinsic Motivation

People are motivated by internal goals

• Studying because a topic is interesting

• Running because it feels good

Glucostatic Theory

When our blood glucose levels drop, hunger creates a drive to eat to restore the proper level of glucose

Priming

Exposed to information that “activate” hunger and eating related information

Hypothalamus

• Lateral Hypothalamus: Key role in initiating eating

• Ventromedial Hypothalamus: Let us know when to stop eating