ap psych - unit 4b

Motivation

The process that initiates, directs, and sustains goal-oriented behavior.

Instinct

An innate, unlearned behavior that is consistent across a species.

Drive-Reduction Theory

The idea that a physiological need creates a drive that motivates an organism to satisfy that need.

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain a balanced internal state (e.g., temperature, hunger, fluid levels).

Incentive

External stimuli or rewards that motivate behavior, even without a biological need.

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s model ranks human needs from basic survival (food, water) to self-actualization.

Glucose

A type of sugar that serves as the main source of energy for the body and brain.

Set Point

The weight level the body naturally maintains, regulated by metabolism and hunger.

Basal Metabolic Rate

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

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder involving cycles of binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting).

Binge-Eating Disorder

An eating disorder where individuals eat large amounts of food without purging, often feeling a loss of control.

Sexual Response Cycle

Masters and Johnson’s four-stage model of sexual arousal: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Refractory Period

A period after orgasm during which a male is unable to experience another orgasm.

Estrogens

A group of hormones primarily responsible for female sexual development and reproduction.

Testosterone

A hormone that influences male sexual development and behavior, though it is present in both sexes.

Sexual Orientation

A person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to others (e.g., heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual).

Emotion

A complex state involving physiological arousal, cognitive appraisal, and expressive behaviors.

James-Lange Theory

The idea that emotions occur as a result of physiological reactions to stimuli.

Cannon-Bard Theory

The idea that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously.

Two-Factor Theory

Schachter and Singer’s theory that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling.

Polygraph

A machine that measures physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, breathing) to detect lies, though it is not always reliable.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The idea that facial expressions can influence emotions (e.g., smiling makes you feel happier).

Catharsis

The idea that releasing emotional tension (e.g., through aggression or crying) can provide relief.

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon

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

Well-Being

A general sense of happiness, satisfaction, and quality of life.

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon

The tendency to judge new experiences based on past experiences, leading to a temporary happiness boost after major life changes.

Relative Deprivation

The perception that one is worse off compared to others, which can lead to dissatisfaction.

Behavioral Medicine

A field combining psychology and medicine to study the effects of behavior on health.

Health Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health and illness.

Stress

The body's response to challenging or threatening situations, either physically or emotionally.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s model describing how the body responds to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Coronary Heart Disease

A condition where blocked arteries reduce blood flow to the heart, often linked to stress and lifestyle factors.

Type A Personality

A personality type associated with competitiveness, impatience, and hostility, which can increase stress-related health risks.

Type B Personality

A personality type characterized by relaxation, patience, and lower stress levels.

Psychophysiological Illness

Any illness influenced by stress and emotional factors, such as hypertension or headaches.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

The study of how psychological factors affect the immune system.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system’s response to illness.