Gen Psych Exam 1: Motivation, Emotions, Gender and Sexuality

What is the definition of motivation?

Motivation is the biological, emotional, cognitive, or social forces that act on or within an organism to direct them to a behavior.

What are the 3 most commonly associated characteristics with motivation?

Activation, Persistance, and Intensity

Of the three characteristics commonly associated with motivation, what is the step that most people stop at?

Activation

"Why is it that simply ""activating"" the will to be motivated is ineffective at the attainment of goals?"

Getting caught up in activation and persistance does not intensify the steps needed for goal attainment, and therefore, is ineffective at making change.

What are the four perspectives in the study of motivation?

Define Instict Theory

1/4 Perspectives: proposes that motivation stems from innate drives that compel us to perform unlearned behaviors essential for survival and reproduction.

What qualifies as an instinct?

Behavior must be complex with a fixed pattern through the species to be unlearned; some patterns are innate and due to genetic programming.

Define Drive Reduction theory

1/4 Perspectives: physiological/psychological needs create a state of tension that motivates us to return to a state of homeostasis.

Define homeostasis

The maintenance of a steady internal state (body temp, energy level, etc.)

Define incentives

Positive or negative stimuli that lure or repel us that motivates behavior (reward)

How do homeostasis and incentives relate to Drive Reduction Theory?

We are motivated by the need to restore homeostasis; incentives can strengthen or guide these behaviors by providing rewards that make drive-reducing actions more appealing.

Define Arousal Theory

1/4 Perspectives: the urge for optimum level of stimulation. When all biological needs are met, we are driven for more stimulation.

What does Arousal Theory propose about the relationship between arousal levels and performance?

Arousal Theory proposes that people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal, with performance typically best at moderate arousal levels.

Define Hierarchy of Motives

1/4 Perspectives: The concept that some needs take over the priority of others.

Define Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of needs

Describes how if some motives are unsatisfied, it can be more compelling than others and must be satisfied first before higher-level needs.

How do the three characteristics of motivation (activation, persistence, intensity) interact to determine whether someone reaches a goal?

Activation gets behavior started, persistence sustains it, and intensity determines the energy and focus put toward the goal; without intensity, persistence is ineffective.

Why is intensity often considered the “missing link” between activation and persistence in motivation?

Because persistence without intensity may lead to weak or unfocused effort, preventing goal attainment despite sustained action.

How does the concept of homeostasis connect both Drive-Reduction Theory and Maslow’s hierarchy?

Homeostasis underlies basic physiological needs in Drive-Reduction Theory and forms the foundation of Maslow’s hierarchy, where physiological stability must be met before higher needs.

In what way do incentives and arousal needs sometimes conflict?

Incentives may push toward a behavior (e.g., studying for a reward), while arousal needs may push away (e.g., seeking excitement instead), creating tension between external rewards and internal stimulation.

What is the ranking for Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (most to least important)?

What is the absolute highest tier in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

What did Maslow add after esteem needs?

What did Maslow add after Cognitive needs?

Define Deci-Ryan's Self Determination Theory (SDT):

Theory that people are actively growth-oriented, but to reach optimal human functioning, the three psychological needs, including autonomy, competence, and relatedness, must be satisfied.

What are the three optimal needs in Deci-Ryan's Self Determination Theory?

Autonomy, competance, and relatedness

Define Autonomy

The need to determine, control, and organize one’s own behavior and goals so that they are in harmony with one’s own interests and values.

Define Competence

The need to learn and master appropiately challenging tasks

Relatedness

The need to feel attached to others and experience a sense of belongingness, security, and intimacy

What does self determination theory identify competence as?

Universal motive

Define achievement motivation

The desire to direct behavior toward excelling, succeeding, or outperforming others at some task

Define Positive Incentive Value Theory

In eating behavior, the anticipated or heightened anticipation of the pleasure of consuming a particular food.

Define the evolutionary perspective of the positive incentive value theory

Overeating helps build energy reserves for times when food may be scarce or unavailable.

Define satiation

In eating behavior, the feeling of fullness and diminished desire to eat after eating a meal.

What is the difference between self actualization and self transcendence?

Self-actualization is realizing one’s full potential, while self-transcendence goes beyond the self to contribute to the greater good.

Roughly what percentage of people reach self actualization?

About 20%

How does achievement motivation differ from competence?

Achievement motivation is the desire to excel or outperform others, while competence is the need to master challenges (not necessarily outperform).

How is positive incentive value connected to gratification?

It’s linked to instant gratification (pleasure in the moment of consuming).

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Define emotions

Emotions are a complex psychological state involving arousal, expression, and subjective experience.

What three components make up emotions?

1) Physiological arousal, 2) Behavioral/expressive behaviors, 3) Conscious/subjective experience (thoughts & feelings)

How long does it take for emotions to be absorbed in the body?

6 seconds

Why do people do scary things?

They recieve arousal and excitement from doing so.

Who proposed the idea of facial expressions and how do they work?

Charles Darwin; believed to be innate and allow for people to communicate with one another.

What is the difference between an emotion and an mood?

Moods tend to be long lasting, whereas emotions may only last for seconds to minutes

Describe how broad emotions are

Emotions are about something specific, such as a person or situation

Describe how broad moods are

Moods are much more diffuse (spread out) with no identifiable object

What do evolutionary psychologists believe about emotions?

Emotions are an evolutionary product that helped our ancestors survive and adapt.

How does fear function as an adaptive emotion?

Fear helps us avoid potential danger.

How does love function as an adaptive emotion?

Love encourages seeking a mate and caring for offspring.

How does anger function as an adaptive emotion?

Anger motivates defending oneself.

Beyond survival, what broader role do emotions play?

Emotions guide individuals in all aspects of life, not just physical survival.

Which six basic emotions are universal across all humans and cultures?

Fear, surprise, anger, disgust, happiness/joy, and sadness.

What makes basic emotions universal?

They are shared by all humans in all cultures.

Why can emotional experience be complex?

Because emotions can overlap; mixed emotions may occur.

How are emotions classified (2 classifications)

1. Degree to which it's pleasant vs. unpleasant 2. Level of activation or arousal associated with the emotion

Define interpersonal engagement

An emotion dimension reflecting the degree to which emotions involve other people.

What are the four theories of motivation?

1. James-Lange Theory 2. Cannon-Bard Theory 3. Two-factor Theory 4. Cognitive-appraisal theory of emotions

Define the James-Lange Theory in detail.

Your feelings follow your body’s response. Our experience of emotion is our awareness of our physical responses to emotionally arousing stimuli.

Define the Cannon-Bard Theory in detail

Physical arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously The emotion-triggering stimulus is routed simultaneously to the brain’s cortex (causing the subjective awareness of emotion) and to the sympathetic nervous system (causing the body’s arousal).However, they believe you can experience emotion even without the sympathetic nervous system arousal.

Define the Two Factor theory in detail

Proposed by Schachter and Singer, to experience emotion, one must be physically aroused and cognitively label the arousal.

Define the cognitive-appraisal theory of emotions

The theory that emotional responses are triggered by cognitive evaluation (no physical arousal needed)

Define the formula for the four theories of motivation

James-Lange Theory: Event > Body > EmotionCannon-Bard Theory: Event > Body + EmotionTwo-Factor Theory: Event > Body + Thought/Label > EmotionCognitive-Appraisal Theory: Event > Thought > Emotion

Define emotional intelligence

The capacity to understand and manage your own emotional experiences and to perceive, comprehend, and respond appropriately to the emotional responses of yourself and others.

What is the function of the cortex in the brain?

The cortex is the thinking part of the brain.

What is the function of the Amygdala in the brain?

The emotional control center of the brain

What is responsible for instinctual fear responses that occur when you percieve a threatening stimulus?

Neural pathways

Define the Thalamus-Amygdala pathway

When emotional reactions bypass the cortex and travel from the thalamus directly to the amygdala, it causes an immediate emotional response (react without thinking, emotions rule our behavior).

What is the most universally understood way of expressing emotion?

Facial expressions; universal

Describe how culture connects to facial expressions.

People from all over the world are able to accurately identify emotions through facial expressions; culture doesn't matter that much.

If facial expressions of emotion are innate and universal, how do culture and environmental factors still influence the way emotions are expressed?

While the basic facial expressions are universal, culture and environment shape when, how, and to what extent emotions are displayed. For example, some cultures encourage open expression of emotion, while others value emotional restraint.

How does the ability to control one’s facial expressions connect to the concept of emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence includes the ability to regulate emotions, both in yourself and in social interactions. Controlling facial expressions shows emotional regulation, which helps with communication, relationships, and managing how others perceive you.

Describe how gestures relate to culture.

Unlike facial expressions, gestures are not universal and vary within different cultures. Gestures such as hand signs, winks, and head nods vary from culture to culture.

Define Facial Feedback Hypothesis (effect)

Facial expressions of emotion can trigger or intensify the subjective experience of that emotion.

Define Empathy and Facial Feedback

When we imitate another's expression, we are more likely to feel what they feel.

Define the purpose of the Amygdala

Deep in the brain, it plays a key role in various emotions, including fear. The output of the amygdala is the bodily symptoms of extreme fear, diarrhea, shortness of breath, etc.

How does fear come about?

We are biologically prepared to learn from fears that helped our ancestors to survive. Fear also comes from observational learning: learning through watching, not experiencing.

Define catharsis

Emotional release.

Define catharsis hypothesis

Rather than aggression, doing non-aggressive acts can also reach catharsis.

What is the best way to respond to anger?

Emotional intelligence

What is the best response to anger?

Forgiveness

Define the feel-good, do-good phenomenon

The happier you are, the more you do for others

Define the adaption-level phenomenon

Our tendency to form judgments relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experiences.

Define relative deprivation

The perception that one is worse off relative to those with whom one compares oneself.

Define subjective well-being

Refers to self-percieved happiness; happiness is a choice, depending on how you look at things.

What two phenomenons lead to unhappiness?

Adaption-level phenomenon and relative deprivation

Define sex

The biological category of male or female as defined by physical differences and genetic composition, and reproductive anatomy.

Define gender

The cultural, social, and psychological meanings that are associated with masculinity and femininity.

What motivates sexual behavior?

Sex hormones, inclusing estrogen and testosterone.

Define testosterone

A sex hormone that plays a part in sexual activity and motivation in both men and women

Define gender-role stereotypes

The beliefs and expectations people hold about the typical characteristics, preferences, and behavior of men and women.