AP Psychology -

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Defining Terms

• What is MOTIVATION?

• Specific need (required (food, water, etc.)) or desire (optional wants (would you die w/o $0)), such as hunger, thirst, or achievement, that prompts goal-directed behavior (ex. studying, practicing, etc.)

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Instincts and Evolution (INSTINCT THEORY)

• What are INSTINCTS? Explain the INSTINCT THEORY.

• Inborn, goal-directed behavior that is characteristic of an entire species and unlearned

  • you’re born w/ certain desires (preprogrammed, not taught by parents) → ex. HUNGER [NATURE]

• doesn’t apply to higher desires like approval, grades, accomplishments because we aren’t born w/ these wants [NURTURE]

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Instincts and Evolution (INSTINCT THEORY)

• Explain HUMAN BEHAVIOR.

• Human behavior is not easily explained by instincts because

  • Most important human behavior is learned & often flexible

• Human behavior is directed by both physiological needs AND by psychological wants

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Drive-Reduction Theory

• What is the DRIVE-REDUCTION THEORY?

• Theory that took the place of instinct theory

• Drive Reduction Theory states that motivated behavior is an attempt to reduce a drive and return the body to homeostasis

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Drive-Reduction Theory

• What is a DRIVE?

• A state of tension or arousal caused by bodily needs

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Drive-Reduction Theory

• What is a PRIMARY DRIVE?

• Unlearned drive, such a hunger, based on a physiological state

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Drive-Reduction Theory

• What is a SECONDARY DRIVE?

• Learned drive, such as ambition

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Arousal Theory

• What is the AROUSAL THEORY?

• People are motivated to seek an optimal level of arousal (that is dependent on the task at hand) for a given moment

• arousal → physiological/biological (sympathetic NS/fight or flight → increasing HR, dilated eyes, etc.)

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Arousal Theory

• What is the YERKES-DODSON LAW?

• States that there is an optimal level or arousal for best performance on any task → for cognitively (using your brain!) complex tasks (like tests), the optimal level of arousal is moderately low

• The more complex the task, the lower the level of arousal that can be tolerated without interfering with performance

• Ex. Taking a psych test… HR is 70 BPM (<100 = red. resting HR [~70 BPM]) vs. 200 BPM

  • avg. HR leads to better performance

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Incentive Theory

• What is the INCENTIVE THEORY?

• External stimuli that prompt goal-directed behavior

• We are often unaware of the incentive

• Examples

  • Aroma of food may cause us to eat even when not hungry

  • Advertisements can lead us to buy a product (ex. Old Spice commercial motivates you by making you want to smell good to attract others, targeted to young men that women will like you → mom :()

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

• What is INTRINSIC MOTIVATION?

• Motivation for a behavior is the behavior itself

  • you like to do the behavior because the behavior makes u feel good

• Example: children playing

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

• What is EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION?

• Behavior is performed in order to obtain a reward or to avoid punishment

• Example: a bonus program

• Dangers of providing extrinsic motivation for intrinsically motivated activities?

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 1) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Motives

• Explain the hierarchy.

• Also of needs!

• Who wants self-actualization if they don't have shelter, suffering from dehydration/starvation???

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 2) Social Motives: Affiliation

• What is AFFILIATION?

• Motivation to be with others (those w/ a high need for affiliation → extroverted)

• Rats, monkeys and humans in stressful situations all feel a reduction in anxiety and fear when in the presence of another member of their species

• Evolutionary value? Learned behavior?

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 2) Self-Determination Theory

• What are the humans’ three basic needs? What motivates us?

1. COMPETENCE: need to be effective in dealing with environment

2. AUTONOMY: need to control the course of their lives

3. RELATEDNESS/AFFILIATION: need to have a close, affectionate relationships with others

Ex> You are the CEO of a company. How would you use Self-Determination Theory to motivate your employees?

Competence --> having an Employee of the Month to recognize the employee and make them feel good, so they understand that their work is not going unnoticed

Autonomy --> giving deadlines and not checking in every too often until the deadline

 Relatedness --> team bonding events after work (holiday parties, dinners, etc.)

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 2) Ostracism

• What is OSTRACISM?

• Deliberate social exclusion of individuals or groups

  • doesn’t prevent you from achieving

  • psychologically/emotionally damaging

• Can lead to substance abuse, psychological disorders, self-harm, poor performance @ work

• Henry Flipper — ostracized by West Point cadets because of skin color. Persevered, becoming first black graduate of West Point

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 2) Connections → Ostracism Can Be Digital As Well…

• Explain the extent of technology use.

• 96% of word’s 7.8 billion people now live where there is cell phone coverage. 5.8 billion people have internet on their cell phone.

• Guess: How many texts does the average American send and receive per day? 94!

• Average 18-29 year old checks their phone multiple times per hour and “can’t imagine” life without it.

• Teens now spend fewer hours:

  • Dating, driving, working, talking face-to-face, and reading books

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 2) Social Media

• What effect do you think social media has on our relationships with others?

• Most people perceive that others’ social lives are more active/interesting than their own

  • this is bc people only post their best moments, causing our brains to believe this is a realistic depiction of their life

• Number of smartphones: TRIPLED 2011 - 2018 (U.S. & elsewhere)

• Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide have also gone up considerably

• Example: major depression — 8 → 14% (~2x) among 12-17 and 18-25 year olds (2010 - 2018)

(Unit 4C PowerPoint Part 2) What are the positives of electronic communication?

• Promotes self disclosure (→ one person is only disclosing abt themselves) (double-edged sword → stalking)

• Link between narcissism (→ self-focused/obsessed) and social media

  • How many likes?

  • Comments?

  • Comparison