Motivation Vocab

AP Psych Unit 4

Motivation

factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested and committed to a job, role, or subject, or to make an effort to attain a goal

Instinct

innate, fixed patterns of behavior in response to certain stimuli

Psychological Need

basic needs that are vital to survival, such as food, water, sleep, and warmth

Drive Reduction Theory

suggests that our motivation to engage in certain behaviors is driven by the need to reduce physiological drives or tensions within our bodies

Homeostasis

the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions

Incentive

external stimuli or rewards that motivate behavior

Yerkes-Dodson Law

psychological principle that states performance on tasks improves up to a point with increased physiological or mental arousal (stress), but beyond that point, further increases in arousal can lead to decreased performance

Affiliation Need

a person's psychological desire to form close relationships, feel accepted by others, and be part of a group

Self-Determination Theory

a psychological theory that focuses on the importance of intrinsic motivation and the satisfaction of basic psychological needs

Intrinsic Motivation

behavior driven by internal rewards such as personal satisfaction or enjoyment derived from performing an activity itself

Extrinsic Motivation

behavior driven by external rewards such as money, fame, grades, and praise

Ostracism

the act of excluding or ignoring an individual or group by a larger social group

Achievement Motivation

a social motivation wherein we are driven to achieve complex goals and attain knowledge or skills

Glucose

a type of sugar that the body uses for energy

Set Point

suggests our body has a pre-determined weight range to which it naturally tries to return

Basal Metabolic Rate

the minimum amount of energy your body needs to perform basic life functions like breathing, blood circulation, and cell maintenance while at rest

Ghrelin

a hormone produced by the stomach that stimulates hunger

Leptin

a hormone produced by fat cells that signals the hypothalamus in the brain about our body fat level

Pituitary Gland

a small pea-sized gland located at the base of your brain. It's often referred to as "the master gland" because it controls other glands in your body making it a key player in regulating vital bodily functions and general wellbeing

Hypothalamus

a small region of the brain that serves as the main control center for autonomic functions