4.6 AP PSYCH Theories of Motivation and Their Impact on Behavior

Drive-reduction theory

Physiological needs create aroused states of tension (drives) that direct us to satisfy these needs.

Lewin's motivational conflicts theory

A theory that describes the conflicts that arise when making decisions between different motivations.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a steady internal state.

Approach-approach conflicts

Conflicts that occur when choosing between two desirable options.

Arousal theory

The theory that individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal.

Approach-avoidance conflicts

Conflicts that arise when a single goal has both positive and negative aspects.

Optimal level of arousal

The ideal level of arousal for peak performance, which varies by individual.

Avoidance-avoidance conflicts

Conflicts that occur when choosing between two undesirable options.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A principle that suggests there is an optimal level of arousal for performance, which varies with the difficulty of the task.

Sensation-seeking theory

The theory that individuals are motivated to seek out novel and intense experiences.

Self-determination theory

A theory that emphasizes the role of intrinsic motivation in driving behavior.

Experience Seeking

A component of self-determination theory that involves seeking out new experiences.

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by internal rewards and personal satisfaction.

Thrill or Adventure seeking

A form of sensation-seeking characterized by the pursuit of risky or exciting experiences.

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards or consequences.

Disinhibition

The reduction of restraint or inhibition, often leading to increased risk-taking behavior.

Incentive theory

The theory that behavior is motivated by a desire for external rewards.

Boredom susceptibility

A tendency to become bored easily, which can drive individuals to seek new experiences.

Instincts

Complex, unlearned behaviors/responses to stimuli that are rigidly patterned throughout a species.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates appetite and plays a role in hunger regulation.

Leptin

A hormone that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating hunger and thirst.

Pituitary gland

A gland that regulates various hormonal functions, including those related to growth and metabolism.

Motivation

A need/desire that energizes and directs behavior.

Cognitive

Mental conditions like consistency, balance, harmony between one's thinking/actions.

Drive-Reduction Theory

Activities that reduce tension caused by drive reduction are more temporarily pleasurable than long-term enjoyable.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Proposed that satisfying hunger/thirst feels good, but doesn't produce long-term feelings of well-being/happiness.

Enjoyable activities

Activities like altruism and participating in challenging, fulfilling activities produce good feelings that usually endure beyond the experience itself.

Criticisms of drive-reduction theory

Secondary reinforcers often reduce drives.

Pursuit of money

A powerful reinforcement/incentive, even though money (by itself) does nothing to reduce drives.

Hunger

Motivational factor that corresponds to stomach's contractions but can exist without stomach pangs.

Neural areas within hypothalamus

Monitor blood chemistry (including glucose level) and incoming information about the body's state.

Glucose

Form of sugar that circulates in blood, providing a major source of energy for body tissues.

Hunger signaling

When glucose levels drop, stomach/intestines/liver signal brain to motivate eating; brain then triggers feelings of hunger.

Hypothalamus

Contains the arcuate nucleus, responsible for secreting appetite-stimulating/suppressing hormones.

Lateral hypothalamus

Appetite-stimulating area; if electrically stimulated, even well-fed rats begin to eat.

Ventromedial hypothalamus

Appetite-suppressing area; if destroyed, rats show no interest in food.

Ghrelin

Secreted by empty stomach; sends 'I'm hungry' signal to brain.

Gastric bypass surgery

Seals off part of the stomach, so less ghrelin is produced/transmitted.

Leptin

Secreted by fat cells; brain increases metabolism/decreases hunger.

Environmental factors of hunger

Situations that can determine what you eat and how much, including time of day, taste preferences, culture, arousal, presence of others, and serving size & selection.

Optimal Arousal Theory

Some behaviors are prompted by a search for an optimum level of arousal rather than reducing physiological needs.

Moderate arousal

Can be motivating, leading to higher levels of achievement.

Too much stimulation

Motivates us to decrease arousal.

Optimal Arousal Theory

Suggests that too much stimulation can be stressful and produce anxiety.

Yerkes-Dodson law

Performance on a task increases with arousal up to a point; beyond that, performance decreases.

Adrenaline junkies

Individuals who enjoy high arousal and are likelier to seek out new music, foods, and engage in risky behaviors.

Exploration behavior in well-fed animals

Well-fed animals leave safety of shelter to explore and gain information in absence of any observable need-based drive.

Lack of stimulation

Often leads people to look for ways to increase arousal.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Moderate arousal leads to optimal performance on most tasks.

Optimal level of arousal

Depends on task difficulty; more difficult tasks require lower arousal, while less difficult tasks are better with higher arousal.

Sensation-Seeking Theory

People are motivated by a need for varied or novel experiences that produce complex/intense sensations.

Experience seeking

Desire for new/novel/unique sensory or mental experiences.

Thrill/adventure seeking

Involves danger; individuals disregard risks, often referred to as 'adrenaline junkies.'

Disinhibition

Lack of self-control/restraint.

Boredom susceptibility

Aversion to routine/everyday life experiences; inability to tolerate monotony or repetition.

Self-Determination Theory

Humans have three basic needs that motivate them: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Autonomy

Feeling like they have agency/choice; not compelled to do things.

Competence

Mastering skills/material; being effective at things.

Relatedness

The need to feel connected/belong with others.

Intrinsic motivation

Desire to perform a behavior well for its own sake; enhances feelings of competence, autonomy, and relatedness.

Extrinsic motivation

Desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid punishment.

Overjustification

The overuse of bribes/rewards in motivation, leading to seeing actions as externally controlled.

Drive-reduction theory

Motivation by internal factors.

Incentive theory

Motivation by the acquisition of external rewards.

Approach-approach conflict

Must choose between two desirable outcomes.

Avoidance-avoidance conflict

Must choose between two unattractive outcomes.

Approach-avoidance conflict

Exists when one event/goal has both attractive and unattractive features.

Multiple approach-avoidance conflicts

Must choose between two or more things, each with both desirable and undesirable features.