Intelligence and Motivation

intelligence

ability to direct thoughts, adapt to circumstances, and learn from experiences

Robert Sternberg

believed in three kinds of intelligence: analytic (problem solving), creative, and practical

Howard Garner

believed in many types of intelligence (musical, visual, logical, many more)

tautological

true in every instance

Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence

every task requires a combination of general ability and skills that are task specific

general ability

the “g” of Two-Factor Theory

task specific skills

the “s” of Two-Factory Theory

Charles Spearman

developer of Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence

factor analysis

technique that explains many correlations as a small number of underlying factors

Louis Thurstone

found that some abilities cluster better than others (ex. verbal clusters better with verbal than verbal with math)

emotional intelligence

ability to reason about emotions and to use emotions to enhance reasoning

Albert Binet and Theodore Simon

developers of the first intelligence test, used to identify children who needed remedial education

Stanford-Binet test

intelligence test that measures aptitude rather than achievement, based on associations

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

intelligence test based on pattern recognition

crystallized intelligence

ability to retain and use knowledge that was gained through experience

fluid intelligence

ability to see abstract relationships and draw logical inferences

Ratio Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

statistic found by dividing mental age by physical age (and multiplying by 100)

Deviation IQ

statistic found by dividing a person’s test score by the average test score of the people in the same age group (and multiplying by 100)

test anxiety

a fear of failure on exams

stereotype threat

specific type of test anxiety; individuals from lower-performing groups are nervous about conforming to a negative stereotype

thinking

internal representations of concepts, ideas, or opinions

concept

mental representations that groups shared features of related objects, events, etc.

family resemblance theory

members of a category have features that appear to be a characteristic of category members, but may not be a characteristic of every member

prototype theory

idea that category judgements are made by comparing new things with the category’s prototype (best/most typical member)

exemplar theory

idea that category judgements are made by comparing new things with stored memories of other instances of the category

motivation

forces that regulate behavior toward a goal

external motivating forces

factors originating outside the body and involved in reward circuitry (ex. rewards, money, etc.)

internal motivating forces

factors originating inside the body and involved in the drive reduction model and optimal arousal models (ex. hormones, physiological conditions)

mesocorticolimbic ciruit

region of the brain involved in the reward circuitry

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

area where responding to stimuli indicates a reward

drive reduction model

internal motivation is the result of a physiological need that generates a drive, which leads to behaviors that decrease that drive; like a negative feedback loop

optimal arousal model

individuals have an internal motivation to maintain specific, right amount of arousal

homeostasis

keeping a constant, stable internal environment

set point

particular value that a system wants to return to

negative feedback

stimulus leads to a change in levels, the change is realized, a response is emitted, levels return to normal

Maslow’ Hierarchy of Needs

goals that motivate human behavior; based on five levels where the previous must be fulfilled in order to work on the next

endocrine system

system of glands and organs that regulate biological needs (homeostasis, mood, motivation, etc.)

lateral hypothalamus

decreases food intake

ventromedial hypothalamus

increases food intake

arcuate nucleus

combines information from the lateral and ventromedial hypothalamus to promote hunger or feelings of satiety

ghrelin

stimulates appetite, produced in GI tract

leptin

suppresses appetite, produced by fat cells

insulin

hormone that allows glucose to be used

Body Mass Index (BMI)

estimation of body fat using height and weight

endocannabinoids

neurotransmitters that regulate body functions

CB1 receptors

receptors on neurons for cannabinoids to bind to, in the CNS

CB2 receptors

receptors on immune cells for cannabinoids to bind to, in the PNS

phytocannabinoids

external versions of cannabinoids (ex. THC and CBD)

androgens

regulate male physical and sexual behaviors; is the precursor to estrogen

estrogen

regulates female secondary characteristics, role in ovulation

progesterone

prepares the body for pregnancy

testosterone

type of androgen involved in libido

libido

sex drive

castration

inactivation or removal of the testes, leads to a decrease in testosterone

Leydig cells

in the testes, where testosterone is produced

ovulation

release of a mature egg from the ovary

refractory period

recovery phase where a second stimulus cannot produce a response

affiliation, achievement, power

three social needs that motivate behavior