PSYC 102 - MIDTERM 2 LECTURE NOTES

Motivation

need or desire that engergizes behaviour and directs it towards a goal

Pain and Pleasure Motivations

reducing negative emotion or increasing positive emotion

ex. studying for a test

• positive → studying to learn

• negative → studying to avoid failing

Theories of Motivation

1. instinct

2. drive-reduction

3. arousal

4. hierarchy of needs

Instinct Theory

• instincts to do things are inborn (nativism)

• behaviours are performed without learning (ex. crying)

Instinct Theory’s Strengths

consistent with animal literature, across different species

Instinct Theory’s Weaknesses

• thousands of instincts needed to explain human behaviour

• labelling, not explaining

Drive-Reduction Theory

• motivates an organism to satisfy a need

  • ex. temp drops (cold) → creates uncomfortability

  • motivated to return to steady state (negative emotion motivator)

• physiological need creates an aroused tension state

• need → drive → drive-reducing behaviours

• pushed by needs, pulled by incentives

Homeostasis

the maintenance of a steady internal state (ex. temperature)

Drive-Reduction Theory Weaknesses

• cannot explain curiosity, play, hobbies, bingewatching, etc.

  • is there enough disruption in homeostasis to reason this?

Optimum Arousal Theory

• seeking optimum levels of arousal

• too little = boredom, too much = stress

• accounts for a greater variety of behaviour motivators

Optimum Arousal Weaknesses

• why do some people seek intensive arousal (ex. rock climbing)?

• why do some people seek low arousal experiences (ex. meditation)?

Hierarchy of Motives

• Abraham Maslow (1970)

• certain needs have priority over others

• can be framed as “hierchy of motives” rather than “needs”

• no progression desired if first level needs (physio) aren’t met

• prioritizing first level is key to avoid species extinction

Hierarchy of Motives (Pyramid)

1. physiological (hunger, thirst)

2. safety (security, protection)

3. belonging (acceptance, friendship)

4. esteem (accomplishments, reputation)

5. self-actualization (living full potential, achieving aspirations)

6. self-transcendence (cause beyond the self)

Biology of Hunger

• stomach contractions

• low glucose levels

• hypothalamus

  • lateral hypothalamus increases hunger

  • lower mid-hypothalamus depresses hunger

Psychology of Hunger

• memory → amnesia patients eat frequently when given food, our memory of if/when we’ve eaten affects hunger levels

• taste → influenced by body chemistry and environment/culture

• eating disorders → drive for thinness, idealizing thinness

Sexual Motivation

• nature → making species procreate to survive

• species will die without desire for procreation

• biology of sexual motivation:

  • estrogen and testosterone

  • not like hunger chemicals (ex. fueling a car)

Psychology of Sexual Motivation

• external stimuli

• imagined stimuli (fantasies)

Predictors of Sexual Restrain (in Adolescents)

• intelligence

• religiosity

• father presences (girls)

• volunteering

Biology of Sexual Orientation

(commonly) in homosexual men:

• anterior hypothalamus is smaller

• anterior commissure is larger

  • some evidence of biological contributions, but not airtight arguments

(Some) Genetics of Sexual Orientation

1. Family → homosexual can run in families

2. Twin Studies → identical twins are more likely to share a co-twin’s homosexuality (rather than fraternal)

3. Fruit Flies → females can act like males during courtship (& vice versa)

Prenatal Hormones and Sexual Orientation

more testosterone → attraction to females

more estrogen → attraction to males

The Need to Belong

Evolutionary perspective:

• protecting against predators

• procuring food

• reproducing

Motivation to Achieve

• fear of failure

• desire for success

The Interviewer Illusion

why people think they did better in an interview compared to reality

• confirmation bias

• anchor and adjustment bias