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Arousal

A physiological and psychological state of alertness or activation, ranging from deep sleep to intense excitement. In AP Psych, it often explains how activation level affects emotion and performance

Valence

The positive or negative quality of an emotion or experience. It answers whether something feels pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral

Appraisal

A cognitive evaluation of a situation that determines its emotional significance. How you interpret an event matters more than the event itself

Action tendencies

Automatic behavioral impulses linked to specific emotions, such as fleeing when afraid or attacking when angry. They prepare the body to respond quickly

Intensification

Exaggerating the outward expression of an emotion. People often intensify emotions to meet social expectations

Deintensification

Reducing the visible expression of an emotion. This is commonly used to appear calm or socially appropriate

Masking

Expressing a different emotion than the one actually felt. For example, smiling while feeling angry

Neutralizing

Suppressing emotional expression entirely so no emotion is shown. The goal is to appear emotionally flat

Mere exposure effect

The tendency to like stimuli more after repeated exposure. Familiarity breeds preference, not contempt

Physiological experience first

The idea that physiological arousal occurs before conscious emotion. This reflects the James-Lange theory

Simultaneously experience

The view that physiological arousal and emotional experience happen at the same time. This is central to the Cannon-Bard theory

Two-factor theory

The theory that emotion is based on physiological arousal plus a cognitive label. Without interpretation, arousal has no emotional meaning

Fast [low road]

A quick, automatic emotional response routed through the amygdala. It sacrifices accuracy for speed

Slow [high road]

A slower, more deliberate emotional response involving the cortex. It allows for thoughtful evaluation

Facial feedback effect

The idea that facial expressions influence emotional experience. You don’t just smile because you’re happy—you can feel happy because you smile

Universality hypothesis

The claim that basic facial expressions are biologically innate and recognized across cultures. Emotion has a shared human grammar

Display rules

Cultural norms that dictate how and when emotions should be expressed. These rules shape emotional behavior, not emotional capacity

Broaden & build theory

The theory that positive emotions broaden thinking and build long-term psychological resources. Joy and curiosity make minds more flexible

Arousal theory

A theory of motivation stating people seek to maintain optimal levels of arousal. Too little or too much arousal reduces performance

Drive reduction theory

The idea that motivation arises from the desire to reduce internal discomfort. Behavior aims to restore balance, or homeostasis

Incentive theory

A theory suggesting behavior is driven by external rewards or goals. Motivation pulls rather than pushes

Humanistic theory

A perspective emphasizing personal growth, free will, and self-fulfillment. Motivation is rooted in the drive toward self-actualization

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by internal satisfaction or enjoyment. The activity itself is the reward

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards or avoidance of punishment. The reward exists outside the activity

Self-determination theory

A theory emphasizing autonomy, competence, and relatedness as core human needs. Motivation thrives when these needs are met

The Yerkes-Dodson law

A principle stating that performance increases with arousal up to an optimal point, then declines. Stress helps until it doesn’t

Thrill and adventure-seeking

A personality trait involving desire for excitement and physical risk. Common in extreme sports enthusiasts

Experience seeking

A tendency to pursue novel mental and sensory experiences. This includes travel, art, and unconventional lifestyles

Disinhibition

A tendency to seek stimulation through social or behavioral restraint reduction. This often includes impulsive or risky behavior

Boredom susceptibility

A low tolerance for repetitive or dull experiences. High susceptibility leads to sensation-seeking behavior

Hedonic principle

The idea that behavior is motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain. It’s psychology’s most ancient assumption

Emotion regulation

Strategies used to manage and modify emotional responses. Regulation affects both emotional experience and expression

Reappraisal

A cognitive emotion regulation strategy that involves reinterpreting a situation to change its emotional impact. It alters emotion before it fully unfolds.