Chapter 9 Learning Objectives

Need

refers to a requirement or necessity for an individual or group that motivates behavior. The satisfaction of these needs follows a hierarchy, commonly illustrated by Maslow's pyramid, which includes physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs, influencing individuals' actions and decisions at different levels.

Explain how satisfaction of needs motivates behavior, including the need hierarchy.

This motivates behavior by driving individuals to fulfill their basic requirements before addressing higher-level aspirations. According to Maslow's hierarchy, as lower-level needs are met, individuals seek to satisfy higher-level needs, influencing their goals, choices, and overall well-being.

Drive

refers to an internal state of tension that motivates an individual to take action to fulfill a need, aiming to restore homeostasis.

Arousal

refers to a state of alertness and physiological activation that influences performance.

Pleasure principle

a motivational concept that suggests individuals are driven to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Intrinsic motivation

refers to engaging in activities for their own sake, driven by internal satisfaction and personal interest.

Biological factors that motivate eating

These factors, such as hunger and satiety signals, drive the physiological need for food.

Emotion

a complex psychological state involving physiological arousal, cognitive appraisal, and behavioral responses, often triggered by specific stimuli and influencing thoughts and actions. Emotions play a key role in human experience, affecting decision-making and interpersonal interactions.

Primary emotions

basic emotions that include happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust. These emotions are universally recognized and are considered fundamental to human experience.

Ssecondary emotions

complex feelings that arise from the combination of primary emotions and cognitive appraisal. They include emotions such as guilt, shame, embarrassment, pride, and jealousy, and are often influenced by social and cultural contexts.

James-Lange Theory of Emotion

Posits that emotions result from the perception of physiological reactions to stimuli. In this view, an emotional experience occurs after our body responds to a stimulus.

Canon-Bard Theory of Emotion

Proposes that emotional experience and physiological reactions occur simultaneously in response to a stimulus, rather than sequentially.

Two-factor Theory of Emotion

Suggests that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation or labeling of that arousal, leading to the experience of emotion.

Amygdala

This brain structure is key to processing emotions such as fear and pleasure. It plays a crucial role in emotional memory and the linking of emotional responses to stimuli.

Suppression

The process of consciously inhibiting the expression of emotions, which can lead to short-term emotional relief but may result in negative long-term psychological effects. It often involves avoiding thoughts about the emotional experience.

Rumination

The process of continuously thinking about or analyzing the causes and consequences of one's negative emotions. While it may provide insights, it can exacerbate feelings of distress and hinder emotional recovery.

Positive reappraisal

A cognitive process where individuals reinterpret a negative situation in a more positive light, enhancing emotional well-being and reducing feelings of distress. This strategy helps mitigate the impact of negative emotions by focusing on potential benefits.

Humor as it relates to emotional regulation

A coping strategy that involves using humor to diffuse negative emotions and improve mood. It can foster resilience and contribute to psychological well-being by shifting perspective.

Distraction

A strategy that involves diverting attention away from negative feelings or thoughts to alleviate emotional distress. This can be achieved through engaging in activities or focusing on positive experiences.

What does the amygdala do?

It plays a crucial role in emotional memory and helps to trigger physiological responses to emotional stimuli.

Where is the amygdala located?

This is located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain, near the hippocampus and is involved in the processing of emotions such as fear and pleasure.

Drive Reduction

A theory posits that satisfying these drives decreases tension and maintains balance within the body.

Homeostasis

is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Learning factors that motivate eating

conditioned responses and social influences that shape eating behaviors.

Incentive

external stimuli or rewards that motivate behavior by providing positive outcomes, enhancing the pursuit of specific goals.

Extrinsic motivation

Performing tasks for external rewards or to avoid negative outcomes.

Optimal Arousal (Yerkes-Dodson Theory)

a psychological concept that suggests performance is best when arousal is at an optimal level, balancing challenge and skill. It posits that too little or too much arousal can hinder performance.