Psychology of Motivation, Emotion, and Stress: Theories and Concepts

Instinct Theory

A theory suggesting that behavior is driven by innate biological instincts.

Physiological need

Basic requirements for human survival, such as food, water, and shelter.

Drive-Reduction Theory

A theory proposed by William James that suggests motivation arises from the need to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs.

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Incentive Theory

A theory that posits behavior is motivated by external rewards or incentives.

Yerkes-Dodson law

A principle stating that performance increases with arousal up to an optimal point, after which performance decreases.

Arousal/Sensation Seeking Theory

A theory suggesting that individuals are motivated to seek out stimulation and excitement.

Hierarchy of needs

Maslow's theory that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy, from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.

Set point

The theory that the body has a natural weight range that it strives to maintain.

Basal metabolic rate

The rate at which the body expends energy at rest to maintain vital functions.

Obesity

A medical condition characterized by excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems.

Affiliation need

The desire to form social bonds and be accepted by others.

Ostracism

The act of excluding or ignoring an individual or group, often leading to feelings of loneliness.

Narcissism

A personality trait characterized by excessive self-love and a lack of empathy for others.

Achievement motivation

The drive to pursue and attain goals, often associated with a desire for success and accomplishment.

Emotion

A complex psychological state that involves a subjective experience, physiological response, and behavioral or expressive response.

James-Lange Theory

A theory of emotion suggesting that physiological arousal precedes the emotional experience.

Cannon-Bard Theory

A theory stating that emotional and physiological responses occur simultaneously and independently.

Schachter Two-factor Theory

A theory proposing that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling of that arousal.

Facial Feedback Theory

The hypothesis that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

Stress

A psychological and physical response to perceived challenges or threats.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Hans Selye's model describing the body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Tend-and-befriend Response

A behavioral response to stress characterized by seeking social support and nurturing others.

Health Psychology

A field of psychology that focuses on how psychological factors affect health and illness.

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of the interaction between psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system.

Type A

A personality type characterized by competitiveness, urgency, and hostility, often linked to higher stress levels.

Type B

A personality type characterized by a relaxed, easy-going nature, often associated with lower stress levels.

Feel-good-do-good phenomenon

The tendency for people to be more helpful when they are in a good mood.

Mindfulness meditation

A practice that involves focusing on the present moment and accepting it without judgment.

Positive psychology

A branch of psychology that studies positive aspects of human experience, such as happiness and well-being, pioneered by Martin Seligman.

Adaptation-level phenomenon

The tendency to judge stimuli relative to those we have previously experienced.

Relative deprivation

The perception that one is worse off relative to those with whom one compares oneself.