ap psychology - motivation, emotion, and personality

instinct theory

our innate unlearned instincts based on survival drive our motivation

drive-reduction theory

when we want something (such as physiological need) we are in a state of imbalance, we have a drive to return to homeostatis (balance) and that is what motivates our behavior

arousal theory

once we have biological needs met, we search for ways to experience simulation, we try to avoid boredom

yerkes-dodson theory

the more aroused we are the less competent we become, a moderate level of arousal is most optimal

hierarchy of needs

once our basic needs are met, we keep climbing up a ladder of other desires until we reach self transcendence (finding needs beyond yourself)

self actualization

the desire to reach one's fullest potential

self-determination theory

we are driven by autonomy (the control over our own future), competence (awareness and knowledge), and relatedness (interpersonal relationships)

stomach contractions

hunger pangs that cause the sensation of hunger

glucose

sugar in the blood

raised glucose > diminished hunger

lowered glucose > increased hunger

insulin

diminishes glucose by converting it to fat

lateral hypothalamus

stimulation of this region stimulates the sensation of hunger

ventromedial hypothalamus

stimulation of this region diminishes the sensation of hunger

ghrelin

hormone that sends out hunger signals

leptin

hormone that tells you you are full

basal metabolic rate (BMR)

the calories you burn at rest

set point

fixed point at which your "weight thermostat" is, when you go below this set point you are hungry

motivational conflict theory

Lewin's theory that defines how individuals experience psychological tension when facing opposing forces in their life

approach-approach

deciding between two desirable choices that cannot exist simultaneously

avoidance-avoidance

deciding between two undesirable choices

approach-avoidance

there are positive and negative consequences for each choice

multiple approach-avoidance

situation involving several choices, each with their own set of pros and cons

james lange theory of emotion

physiological sensation causes emotion

cannon bard theory of emotion

physiological sensation and emotion are independent

schachter-singer theory of emotion

physiological sensations happen but our conscious thoughts control our emotions

lazarus theory of emotion

cognitive appraisal (subjective interpretation) causes both emotions and physiological sensations together

what did ekman's research discovery about facial muscles

facial expressions for emotions are generally the same across cultures

facial feedback effect

the tendency of facial muscles to trigger corresponding feelings

humanistic theory of personality

people strive to uncover worth and fulfillment, we should study people through their own self reported feelings

roger's humanistic theory of personality

we have a desire for a positive self-concept, we need acceptance, genuineness, and empathy to grow into our best selves

unconditional positive regard

a caring, accepting, non-judgmental attitude that was believed to help people develop self-awareness and acceptance

psychoanalytic theory

dynamic interpretation between our conscious and unconscious mind

free association

a method where a person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind no matter how trivial and embarassing

id

unconscious energy that strives to satisfy basic drives

superego

our standards for judgment based on societal norms

ego

executive of the personality that mediates the id and superego

defense mechanism

the ego's protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality

repression

burying negative feelings by not being able to remember painful memories

denial

not accepting reality because it is painful

regression

reverting to a younger version of oneself

projection

attributing feelings to someone else

displacement

channeling a feeling to something else

reaction formation

adopting beliefs contrary to what you believe

rationalization

justifying actions by substituting "good" reasons for real motivations

sublimation

redirecting unacceptable, instinctual drives into socially acceptable channels

freudian slip

statement that passed the filter

projection test/rorschach test

ink blot test

big five personality traits

OCEAN - openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism

openness

imagination, intellectual curiosity

conscientiousness

organization, self-discipline, goal directed behavior

extraversion

social, talkative, engagement with the outside world

agreeableness

kindness, trustworthiness, empathy, helpfulness

neuroticism

emotional instability, anxiety, stress

social-cognitive theory

our innate traits interact with society, we are driven by learning and behavior

reciprocal determinism

how we view ourselves compared to others

trait theory

humans are a complex combination of traits rather than fit into certain archetypes

self efficacy

our perception of our ability to complete a task

self esteem

our perception of our worth

self serving bias

the belief that we are better than others, we are less likely to approach our pitfalls with self blame

defensive self esteem

self esteem that needs to be validated by outside forces

secure self esteem

self esteem that is based on our internal beliefs