Chapter 11; What Drives Us: Hunger, Sex, Belonging, and Achievement

Motivation

A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

Instinct theory

Focuses on genetically predisposed behaviors.

Drive-reduction theory

Focuses on how we respond to inner pushes and external pulls.

Arousal theory

Focuses on finding the right level of stimulation.

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Focuses on the priority of some needs over others.

Instinct

A complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned.

Imprinting

A behavior in which infants form an attachment to the first moving object they see.

Drive-reduction theory

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

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state.

Incentive

A positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior.

Arousal Theory

Some motivated behaviors actually increase rather than decrease arousal.

Yerkes-Dodson law

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

Hierarchy of needs

Maslow's pyramid of human needs, beginning with physiological needs and progressing to safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs.

Set point

The weight at which the body's "weight thermostat" is set.

Basal metabolic rate

The body's resting rate of energy output.

Ghrelin

A hormone secreted by the empty stomach that increases appetite.

Leptin

A protein hormone secreted by fat cells that decreases hunger.

PYY

A digestive tract hormone that decreases appetite.

Sexual orientation

The direction of our sexual attractions, as reflected in our longings and fantasies.