Exam 1 Human motivation (chapters 1-4)

What is the driving factors of motivation and explain them?

1. direction-

2. intensity- how much effort you put into it 

3. persistence- do you stick with it over time? 

Why are we interested in motivation?

1. helps to explain behavior 

2. mediators (intervening variables) 

What is emotion?

Intense short- lived redirections of attention which redirects thoughts and motivates you to do something

Why do we have a brain?

1. runs your body

2. keep you alive, pass along genes (primary objective)

3. prepares for action

4. elements of consciousness, thinking, feeling, memory

5. controls movement, navigate world around us, prepares us for action

What does the brain do?

** The past is so important to the brain

• constantly running prediction models

  • trying to predict what happens next and prepare the body to react

• brain = black box

What do predictions come from?

learning

State the difference between interoception and exteroception 

Interoception refers to the internal sensory signals from within the body, such as hunger and heartbeat, while exteroception involves external sensory information from the environment, like sight and sound

Describe the “motivated brain”

Food deprivation activates the ghrelin release that stimulates the hypothalamus to create hunger

environmental event —> biochemical agent —> brain structure —> aroused motivation

Where is the starting point for many negative emotions?

in the amygdala

Difference between outer cortical and inner subcortical brain?

outer cortical brain- cognitively rich motivations (goals, plans, strategies, values, and beliefs about self), largely conscious, deliberate, and revolve around cognitive or executive control

inner subcortical brain- basic urges and impulses, emotion-rich motivation (hunger, anger, pleasure, desire, reward, wanting), largely unconscious, automatic, and impulsive

Where do many positive emotions start?

dopamine- network

What is the difference between the left and right hemispheres?

right= neg emotion and avoidance

left= pos emotion and approach

Describe BIS and BAS?

BIS= sensitive to threat and punishment, experience more negative affect, may feel over aroused and withdraw (sensitive to left)

BAS= sensitive to rewards more positive affect feel under aroused and engaged in the environment (sensitive to right)

What are the hormones involved in motivation and emotion? 

cortisol-

oxytocin- love hormone

serotonin 

norepinephrine 

testosterone- strong, competitive, aggressive sexual

What happens if needs aren’t met?

threats survival

What articles link BIS and BAS and describe them

Sutton & Davidson- aimed at looking at BIS BAS through measuring resting anterior EEG, those who had greater left prefrontal activation reported higher BAS strength, but those with a relatively greater right prefrontal activation reported higher BIS

Gable & Elliot-  Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and Behavioral Inhinition System (BIS) 

BAS- approach activation was linked to approach- oriented experiences (enthusuasm, goal pursuit, and pos affect) 

BIS- withdraw oriented experiences (anxiety, caution, and negative affect) 

• Two systems were largely independent 

• Situational cues predict fluctuations in BIS BAS fluctuations more environmental context then personality traits 

How could you tell if someone is motivated? That is, to assess the quantity and quality of a person’s motivation, what would you measure?

You could assess motivational levels by measuring behavioral indicators such as goal-directed actions, effort put into tasks, and persistence in the face of challenges. Additionally, self-reported measures of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, along with emotion and engagement, can provide insights into the quality of motivation.

Explain why cortisol is referred to as the so- called “stress hormone” 

Cortisol is referred to as the "stress hormone" because it is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress and low blood glucose levels. It plays a crucial role in the body's fight-or-flight response by increasing glucose availability, suppressing non-essential functions, and modulating various bodily processes during stressful situations. Being under for an extended period of time can harm the body’s organs and makes you more alert and ready 

Explain why oxytocin is referred to as the bonding hormone

Oxytocin is referred to as the "bonding hormone" because it is released during moments of social bonding, such as childbirth, breastfeeding, and close physical contact. It facilitates trust, attachment, and emotional connections between individuals, playing a key role in forming and maintaining social relationships.