Hunger & Motivation

Ancel Keys Starvation experiment

experiment during WW2 by feeding 200 men normally for two months, then halving the food intake for 36 of them causing them to become obsessed with food, thinking and reading about it constantly. They lost interest in everything else

what triggers hunger?

stomach contractions

glucose

the form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides major source of energy for body tissues

hypothalamus

monitors our blood chemistry and your bodies internal state

ventromedial hypothalamus

responsive for feeling of fullness. tells us to stop eating

lateral hypothalamus

responsible for triggering hunger

ghrelin

hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach

leptin

hormone that alerts the hypothalamus that we are full and can stop eating. low levels can cause over-eating

set point

the weight at which your body likes to be and where you tend to stay with little effort

basil metabolic rate

a measure of how much energy we use to maintain basic body functions when our body is at rest

how does our memory of our last meal influence our knowing of when to eat?

we anticipate eating again and start to feel hungry

what 2 things influence our taste preferences?

body cues and environmental factors

why do we crave starchy carbs when we are sad or depressed?

they boost neurotransmitter serotonin, which has calming effects

where do our preferences for sweet and salty come from?

genetic and universal

how are some taste preferences conditioned?

when people are given a lot of the same type of food, they form a liking for it

how does culture affect taste?

different countries eat the same thing and think hat other countries eat is gross

what is neophobia?

dislike of unfamiliar things

how was neophobia an adaptive trait for our ancestors?

protecting them from potentially toxic substances

what is the phenomenon called the ecology of eating?

situations control our eating

arousing appetite

being in a nervous mood or stressful environment

friends and food

eat more with others bc you dont realize it

serving size

larger portions induce bigger bites and children eat more with adult size

selections of food/food variety

when offered more food, people eat more

nudging nutrition

switching around food and amount in each dish changes peoples minds to think bout serving size

what is obesity?

a body mass index measurement of 30 or higher

how does obesity affect you?

you become fat and have health problems physical and mentally

physiological factors for obesity

-stoning fat was adaptive

-setting point and metabolism matter

-genes influence

environmental factors for obesity

-sleep loss

-social influence

-food and activity levels

does obesity reflect a lack of willpower?

no

motivation

a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior

instinct

an unlearned, genetic behavior that has a fixed pattern throughout a species

rooting reflex

when you stroke an infants cheek or mouth, they will turn toward you to find a nipple to feed

sucking relex

an infants ability to suckle in order to feed

imprinting

forming a strong attachment to the first caretaker

drive reduction theory

states that physiological needs drive us to satisfy those needs ex. hunger, thirst, sex, sleep, etc.

homeostasis

a steady, balanced internal state

incentive theory

states that we are motivated by incentives, such as gaining rewards and avoiding punishment

arousal theory

states that we are motivated by a need to experience an ideal level of arousal

yerkes-dodson law

states that moderate arousal leads to optimal performance

maslow’s hierarchy of needs

pyramid of human needs; needs must be met in order starting at the bottom of the pyramid

self-transcendence

people strive for meaning, purpose, and communion in a way that is trans-personal—beyond the self

criticism

seen as more relevant to individualistic cultures that value the presuit of individual goals. collectivist cultures tend to prioritize group goals over individual goals

what is affiliation need?

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

how did social bonding and cooperation boost the chances of survival for our ancestors?

more likely to survive, reproduce, to co-nurture and to avoid

how does our need to belong effect our thoughts and emotions?

we can befriend people who cooperate and to avoid those who exploit it

how do feelings of love effect your brain?

feel their cheeks ache from irrepressible grinning

in what two ways does feeling insecurely attached to others during childhood persist into adulthood?

difficulty forming relationships and fear of being alone

what is ostracism?

deliberate social exclusion of individuals or groups

how does ostracism affect your brain?

restore acceptance with depressed moods

what interesting fact did researchers discover about the effects of tylenol?

lessons social as well as physical pain

what are some pros of social media?

provides info and supportive connections

what is self-disclosure?

sharing ourselves

does social media stimulate healthy self-disclosure?

no

what is narcissism?

self-esteem gone wild

does social media promote narcissism?

yes, they feed it