AP Psychology 4.6 and 4.7 (Motivation and Emotion)

Motivation

A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

Instinct

A complex, unlearned behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species.

Drive-Reduction Theory

The idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need and return to homeostasis.

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level.

Incentive

A positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior.

Arousal Theory

The theory that states we are motivated to seek an optimum level of tension/arousal; sometimes this means increasing arousal (e.g., thrill-seeking).

Yerkes-Dodson Law

The principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases; optimal arousal is higher for simple tasks and lower for complex tasks.

Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow)

Maslow's pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher-level safety needs and then psychological needs become active.

Self-Actualization

According to Maslow, the ultimate psychological need that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one's potential.

Self-Transcendence

According to Maslow, the need to find meaning and identity beyond the self.

Achievement Motivation

A desire for significant accomplishment, for mastery of skills or ideas, for control, and for rapidly attaining a high standard.

Lateral Hypothalamus

The part of the hypothalamus that brings on hunger; stimulating it causes an animal to eat.

Ventromedial Hypothalamus

The part of the hypothalamus that depresses hunger; stimulating it causes an animal to stop eating.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The body's resting rate of energy expenditure.

Ghrelin

A hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach.

Leptin

A protein hormone secreted by fat cells; when abundant, it causes the brain to increase metabolism and decrease hunger.

Orexin

A hunger-triggering hormone secreted by the hypothalamus.

Pyy

A digestive tract hormone that sends "I'm not hungry" signals to the brain.

Affiliation Need

The need to build relationships and feel a part of a group; the need to belong.

Emotion

A response of the whole organism, involving (1) physiological arousal, (2) expressive behaviors, and (3) conscious experience.

Cognitive Appraisal Theory

The theory that suggests appraisal (interpreting the stimulus) sometimes occurs without our conscious awareness and determines the emotion, even before arousal; "Is it dangerous or not?"

Facial Feedback Effect

The tendency of facial muscle states to trigger corresponding feelings such as fear, anger, or happiness.

Catharsis

Emotional release; the catharsis hypothesis maintains that "releasing" aggressive energy (through action or fantasy) relieves aggressive urges.

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon

People's tendency to be helpful when already in a good mood.

Relative Deprivation

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

Display Rules

Cultural and social rules that dictate how and when to express emotions.