Psychology 4B

Drive Reduction Theory

behavior is motivated by biological need to maintain homeostasis

Homeostasis

a balanced internal state (ex: not too hungry, not too full), Need = food; Drive = feeling of hunger, Drive

Arousal Theory

suggests humans are motivated to seek the optimal level of arousal (differs by individual)

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Says that performance on tasks increases with arousal, but for more difficult tasks, too much arousal will eventually cause performance to decline.

Self determination theory

people are motivated by intrinsic (internal ex. self esteem) or extrinsic (external ex. money) motivators

Incentive theory

Says behavior is motivated by external rewards.

Instinct Theory

Many non-human animals are motivated by instincts (innate, fixed patterns of behavior in animals that determine responses to certain stimuli).

Lewin's motivational conflicts theory

We are motivated to resolve conflict caused by having to make choices.

Approach Approach Conflict

when you must pick one of two attractive choices (go to the beach or go skiing?)

Avoidance Avoidance Conflict

when you must choose between two unattractive choices (eat broccoli or eat peas?)

Approach Avoidance Conflict

when you have one choice that has both desirable and undesirable outcomes (study abroad and have a great experience overseas but leave your friends and graduate late, or don't study abroad?)

Sensation seeking theory

Says that one's level of need for varied or new experiences motivates our behavior.

experience seeking

looking for new experiences through the mind, senses, and a non

thrill or adventure seeking

doing risky but socially acceptable activities such as sky diving.

disinhibition

seeking escape from regular life through partying and social drug/alcohol use

boredom susceptibility

having a low tolerance for repetitive or uninteresting activities

Biology

Hypothalamus controls pituitary gland, which causes hormones to be released

Lateral Hypothalamus

creates feelings of hunger, triggers release of ghrelin ("My stomach is ghrelin for some food!"

Ventromedial hypothalamus

creates feelings of satiety (fullness), triggers release of leptin ("there's still food leptin my stomach, so I'm not hungry;

External/environmental factors

presence of food, time of day, or social gatherings around meals also influence the behavior of eating

ostracism

being excluded from a social group