Motivation

Based on 2024-25 CED

motivation

a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior

instinct theory

the idea that our instincts are the source of our motivations

instinct

a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned

drive-reduction theory

the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused state that motivates an organism to satisfy the need; a need with an incentive creates a strong drive

physiological need

a basic bodily requirement

homeostasis

the tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry

incentive

a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior

arousal theory

the idea that motivation aims to achieve moderate levels of arousal; we seek stimulation when our biological needs are met

Yerkes-Dodson Law

principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which in decreases; easy tasks are best with moderate arousal while hard tasks are best with low arousal

Mazlow’s Hierarchy of Needs

we prioitize survival-based needs and social needs

hunger pangs

stomach contractions that occur when you are hungry

glucose

the form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissues; when levels are low, we feel hunger

arcuate nucleus

neural network in the hypothalamus that secretes appetite-stimulating hormones

hypothalamus and hunger

contains 2 main neural networks that regulate hunger by stimulating or suppressing it

5 main hormones in hunger

ghrelin, orexin, insulin, leptin, & PYY

ghrelin

appetite-stimulating hormone secreted by an empty stomach

orexin

hunger-triggering hormone secreted by the hypothalamus

insulin

hormone secreted by pancreas that controls blood glucose

leptin

protein hormone secreted by fat cells that increases metabolism and decreases hunger; reports body fat content to the brain

PYY

digestive tract hormone that tells the brain “I’m not hungry”

set point

the point at which your “weight thermostat” may be set; when your body falls below this weight, increases hunger and lower metabolic rate occur

basal metabolic rate

body’s resting rate of energy output

physiological factors of hunger

carbohydrates boost serotonin & taste preferences are both genetic and conditioned

obesity

defined by a BMI of 30 or higher; highly heritable and related to metabolism

sleep deprivation and obesity

sleep loss increases ghrelin and decreases leptin