ap psych c15--motivation and emotion

drive reduction theory

• our behavior is motivated by biological needs

• when our body is not in homeostasis, we have a need that creates a drive

arousal theory

• we seek an optimum level of excitement or arousal

• some people are thrill seekers who are especially susceptible to becoming bored (boredom susceptability)

• however, most people have an optimum level of arousal that determines their best level of performance. sometimes, even if our arousal is high, we cannot perform difficult tasks (Yerks Dodson law, pg. 143)

opponent process theory of motivation

• we have a baseline state that we are usually at and may do something pleasurable to leave that state but eventually desire to return (drinking)

incentive theory

• behavior is pulled by a desire (an incentive)

self-determination theory

• we need intrinsic things (rewards we get internally) to be motivated

biological basis of hunger

• our hypothalamus monitors our body to help us feel hungry when we need to eat

• the lateral hyp. causes a species to eat, while the ventromedial hyp. causes a species to stop eating. these two work together to keep us balanced

• ghrenlin communicates hunger to the brain, and leptin signals the brain that you have sufficient stored energy and are thus not hungry (both are hormones)

sexual motivation

• sexual response cycle chart (pg 146)

• twin studies indicate a genetic influence on sexual orientation since a twin is much more likely to be gay if the other twin is gay

social motivation

• we are motivated to achieve things that are more complex, like our goals (achievement motivation)

intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation

• intrinsic motivation: rewards we get internally, like satisfaction

• extrinsic motivation: external rewards like good grades

management theory

studies of management styles show two basic attitudes that affect how managers do their jobs

theory x—managers believe that employees will work only if they are rewarded with benefits or receive punishment

theory y—managers believe that managers are internally motivated to do good work

lewin’s motivational conflict theory

• sometimes we have conflicts about what choice to make, there are four types

• approach-approach conflict: choosing between two really good things (go to hawaii or go to NYC)

• avoidance-avoidance: choose b/t two bad things

• approach-avoidance: one event or goal has pros and cons

• multiple approach-avoidance: multiple events or goals have pros and cons (BU vs. BC)

two factor theory

• both our physical responses and our cognitive appraisal of them (our mental interpretations) combine to cause any particular emotional response. so, i scream when i see a car about to hit me because my heart races AND my cognitive label of the event is that it is scary