APP MESH Vocab 1

Modules 37-38, 41

Abraham Maslow

psychologist; known for his "Hierarchy of Needs" and the concept of "self-actualization"

motivation

a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior

drive-reduction theory

the idea that physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy

arousal theory

the notion that people are motivated to achieve and maintain an optimum level of bodily arousal

homeostasis

a tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

incentive

a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior

hierarchy of needs

Maslow's pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher-level safety needs and then psychological needs become active

glucose

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

leptin

protein secreted by fat cells; causes brain to increase metabolism and decrease hunger

PYY

digestive tract hormone; sends "I'm NOT hungry" signals to the brain

ghrelin

hormone secreted by empty stomach; sends "I'm hungry" signals to the brain

orexin

hunger-triggering hormone secreted by hypothalamus

insulin

hormone secreted by pancreas; controls blood glucose

set point

the point at which an individual's "weight thermostat" is supposedly set; when the body falls below this weight, an increase in hunger and a lowered metabolic rate may act to restore the lost weight

basal metabolic rate

the body's resting rate of energy expenditure

hypothalamus

limbic system component that regulates hunger, body temperature and other functions

lateral hypothalamus

part of the hypothalamus involved in increasing hunger

ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus

part of the hypothalamus involved in suppressing hunger

achievement motivation

a desire for significant accomplishment; for mastery of things, people or idea; for attaining a high standard

approach-approach conflict

a psychological conflict or a situation of indecision where an individual is confronted having to choose between equally desirable alternatives

approach-avoidance conflict

a psychological conflict or a situation of indecision and vacillation when an individual is confronted with an event or an object that has desirable and undesirable qualities

avoidance-avoidance conflict

a psychological conflict or a situation of indecision and vacillation when an individual has to choose between two undesirable alternatives

multiple approach-avoidance conflict

a psychological conflict of indecision and vacillation when an individual must choose between two or more options, all of which have pros and cons

Yerkes-Dodson Law

for well-learned tasks that require little concentration, we can handle high levels of arousal; for tasks that are not as well-learned or require more concentration, we can handle less arousal

instinct

a complex behavior that has a fixed pattern throughout a species and be unlearned

self-actualization

according to Maslow, one of the ultimate psychological needs that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one's potential

affiliation need

the need to build relationships and to feel part of a group

Ostracism

exclusion from a society or group

grit

passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals

Angela Duckworth

psychologist known for her work in the area of achievement motivation and grit

flow

a completely involved, focused state of consciousness, with diminished awareness of self and time, resulting from optimal engagement of one's skills

industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology

the application of psychology concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces