Chapter 11: Theories of Motivation and Emotion

Theories of Motivation: Biological

• Instinct

• Drive reduction

• Optimal arousal

Instinct Theory

motivation results from innate, biological instincts, which are unlearned responses found in almost all members of a species

drive reduction theory

motivation begins with a biological need (a lack or deficiency) that elicits a drive toward behavior that will satisfy the original need and restore homeostasis

optimal arousal theory

organism are motivated to achieve and maintain an optimal level of arousal

which maximizes their performance

Theories of Motivation: Psychological

• incentive

• cognitive

incentive theory

motivation results from external stimuli that “pull” the organism in certain directions

cognitive theory

motivation is affected by expectations and attributions, or how we interpret of think about our own or other’s actions

Theories of Motivation: Biopsychosocial

Maslow’s hierarchy of of needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of of needs Theory

lower needs like hunger and safety must be satisfied before advancing to higher needs (such as belonging and self-actualization)

Obesity

an eating problem involving a body mass index of 30 or above, based on height and weight

anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by an obsessive fear of obesity, a need for control, self-imposed starvation, and a severe loss of weight

bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food (bingeing), followed by self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, and/or excessive exercise (purging)

binge-eating disorder

recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food (bingeing), but not followed by purge behaviors

nAch

need for achievement

intrinsic motivation

a type of motivation for a task or activity based on internal activities, such as enjoyment and personal satisfaction

extrinsic motivation

a type of motivation for a task or activity based on external incentives, such as rewards and punishment

3 basic components of Emotion

• biological

• cognitive

• behavioral

3 major theories of Emotion

• James Lange Theory

• Cannon-Band

• Two Factor

James Lange theory

a theory of emotion suggesting that the subjective experience of emotion results from bodily arousal, rather than being its cause (“I feel sad because I’m crying.”); bodily arousal is the basis for feeling emotions

Cannon-Bard theory

a theory proposing that emotions and bodily changes occur simultaneously (I’m crying and feeling sad at the same time.”); bodily arousal plus brain processing occurring simultaneously is the basis for feeling emotions

two-factor theory

Schachter and Singer’s theory that emotion depends upon two factors- bodily arousal and cognitive labeling of that arousal; bodily arousal leads to labels which are the basis for feeling emotions

achievement motivation

the desire to excel, especially in competition with others

adaption-level phenomenom

a tendency to judge a new situation or stimuli relative to a neutral, “normal” level based on our previous experiences; we then adapt to this new level and it becomes the new “normal”

amygdala

a part of the limbic system linked to the production and regulation of emotions- especially aggression and fear

display rules

a set of informal cultural norms that control when, where, and how emotions should be expressed

emotion

a complex pattern of feelings that includes arousal (heart pounding) cognitions (thoughts, values, and expectations), and expressive behaviors (smiles, frowns, and gestures)

homeostasis

our body’s tendency to maintain equilibrium, or a steady state of internal balance

instinct

the fixed, unlearned response patterns found in almost all members of a species

motivation

a set of factors that activate, direct, and maintain behavior, usually toward some goal

polygraph

an instrument that measures sympathetic arousal (heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and skin conductivity) to detect emotional arousal, which in turn supposedly reflects lying v. truthfulness

self- actualization

the humanistic tern for the inborn drive to realize our full potential and to develop all our talents and capabilites

Yerkes-Dodson Law

the law stating that maximum performance is related to levels of arousal; complex tasks require a relatively low level of arousal, whereas simple tasks require a relatively high arousal level

flow

the mental state of operation in which a person is an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity