Untitled Flashcards Set

Motivation

The psychological factor that drives a person to take actions toward achieving a goal.

Instinct Theory

Suggests that behavior is driven by innate, unlearned patterns of behavior shared by all members of a species.

Psychological Needs

Needs that motivate behavior, such as the need for social connection, esteem, or self-actualization.

Drive-reduction Theory

Proposes that motivation arises from the need to reduce physiological drives, such as hunger or thirst.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment.

Incentives

External stimuli or rewards that motivate behavior.

Arousal Theory

Suggests that individuals are motivated to engage in behaviors that maintain optimal levels of arousal.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

States that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance.

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s theory that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy.

Hunger Motivation

The drive to eat, motivated by biological needs for energy.

Physiological Factors

Physical or biological factors that influence behavior.

Glucose

The primary energy source for the body and brain.

Insulin

A hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Leptin

A hormone that signals to the brain when the body has sufficient energy stores.

Orexin

A hormone involved in regulating appetite and arousal.

PYY

A hormone released by the intestines that helps reduce appetite.

Set Point

The theory that each person has a biologically determined weight range.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The rate at which the body uses energy while at rest.

Psychological Factors

Factors like emotional states, stress, or perceptions that influence motivation.

Neophobia

The fear or dislike of new foods.

Unit Size

Refers to the portion size of food or drink.

Social Facilitation

The tendency for people to perform tasks better when they are in the presence of others.

Obesity and Weight Control

Obesity is a condition of excessive body fat linked to poor health outcomes.

Environmental Factors

Factors that shape behaviors like eating and physical activity.

Sexual Motivation

The drive to engage in sexual activity influenced by various factors.

Asexual

A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.

Testosterone

A hormone that plays a key role in sexual desire and arousal.

Estrogen

A hormone that plays a key role in female sexual motivation.

Sexual Response Cycle

Describes the stages of sexual activity: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Excitement

The initial phase of sexual arousal.

Plateau

The phase where sexual excitement stabilizes before reaching orgasm.

Orgasm

The climax of sexual pleasure.

Resolution

The phase following orgasm, where the body returns to its resting state.

Refractory Period

A period after orgasm during which an individual cannot be aroused again.

External Stimuli

External factors that can influence sexual arousal.

Imagined Stimuli

Internal mental stimuli that can lead to sexual arousal.

Affiliation Need

The need for social connection and belonging.

Benefits of Belonging

Belonging promotes emotional support and a sense of identity.

Ostracism

The social exclusion or rejection of an individual.

Impact of Social Networking

Social networking influences emotions and relationships.

Achievement Motivation

The desire to accomplish goals and gain personal satisfaction.

Grit

Passion and perseverance for long-term goals.

Emotions

Complex psychological and physiological reactions to stimuli.

James-Lange Theory

Proposes that emotions are the result of physiological reactions.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Suggests that physiological reactions and emotional experiences occur simultaneously.

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

Proposes that emotion is the result of both physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation.

Additional Theories of Emotion

Include alternative perspectives on how emotions arise.

Robert Aajonc

Proposed that emotional responses can occur before conscious thought.

Joseph LeDoux

Focused on the brain structures involved in emotions.

Richard Lazarus

Developed the cognitive appraisal theory.

Primary Emotions

Basic emotions that are universally experienced.

Impact of Emotions on the Nervous System

Emotions can activate responses in the autonomic nervous system.

Physiology of Emotions

Involves brain activation, hormonal responses, and autonomic changes.

Polygraph

A machine that measures physiological responses to detect lies.

Detecting Emotions

Emotional expression can be detected through various markers.

Differences in Gender

Men and women may experience and express emotions differently.

Differences in Culture

Cultural norms shape how emotions are expressed and interpreted.

Effects of Facial Expressions

Facial expressions convey emotional information.

Facial Feedback Effect

The idea that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

Behavior Feedback Effect

The idea that behavior can influence emotions.

Stress

A physiological and psychological response to perceived challenges.

Impact of Catastrophes

Major events that cause significant stress.

Significant Life Changes

Major life transitions that can cause stress.

Lewin’s Conflict Theory

Describes how individuals are motivated to choose between conflicting alternatives.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Describes the three stages the body goes through when responding to stress.

Tend and Befriend Response

A stress response more common in women.

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of how psychological states influence immune function.

Stress and Cancer

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system.

Coronary Heart Disease

A condition where chronic stress can lead to heart disease.

Type A and Type B

Type A individuals are competitive and driven, while Type B are more relaxed.

Catharsis

The idea that releasing emotions can lead to emotional relief.

Optimism

A positive outlook that can improve coping strategies.

Pessimism

A negative outlook that may contribute to poor health outcomes.

Impact of Social Support

Strong social support networks are essential for stress management.

Aerobic Exercise

Exercise that improves cardiovascular health and reduces stress.

Relaxation

Techniques used to reduce stress and promote well-being.

Biofeedback

Teaches individuals to control physiological functions using real-time data.

Mindfulness

Focusing on the present moment to promote emotional regulation.

Meditation

A practice to promote relaxation and improve mental health.

Feel-good, do-good phenomenon

The phenomenon where happiness leads to helping others.

Positive Psychology

Focuses on strengths and well-being rather than just treating mental illness.

Subjective Well-being

An individual’s self-reported happiness and life satisfaction.

Adaptation-level phenomenon

The theory that people adapt to their current situations.

Relative deprivation

The feeling of being deprived relative to others.

Heritable

Traits or behaviors that are passed down genetically.

Personality

The combination of traits that make up an individual’s character.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach focusing on unconscious thoughts.

Freud

The founder of psychoanalysis.

Sibling Rivalry

Competition or jealousy between siblings.

Freudian Slips

Unintentional errors thought to reveal unconscious thoughts.

Fixation

Becoming stuck in one of the psychosexual stages.

Repression

A defense mechanism where painful memories are pushed out of awareness.

Ego

The part of the personality that mediates between instincts and morality.

Projection

A defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own thoughts to others.

Complex

A group of unconscious thoughts that influence behavior.

Unconscious

The part of the mind that holds inaccessible thoughts and memories.

Free Association

A technique where individuals say whatever comes to mind.

Id, Ego, Superego

Freud's model explaining different parts of personality.

Psychosexual Stages

Freud’s theory on personality development through stages.

Oedipus Complex

A Freudian theory regarding a child’s desires for parents.