AP Psychology - Theories of Motivation and Hunger (Unit 9)

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Motivation

The reason why we do things or pursue goals.

Example: Wanting to study hard for good grades.

Instinct

Natural behaviors we're born with.

Example: A baby crying when hungry.

Drive-Reduction Theory

We act to reduce physical needs or tensions (like hunger or thirst).

Example: Drinking water when thirsty.

Arousal Theory

We try to keep ourselves at the right level of excitement.

Example: Some people like exciting, fast-paced jobs.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

We perform best with just the right amount of stress or excitement—not too little, not too much.

Example: Feeling a little nervous before a test can help you do better.

Homeostasis

Keeping our body balanced, even when things change outside.

Example: Sweating to cool down on a hot day.

Incentive

External rewards or punishments that motivate us.

Example: A bonus at work motivates people to work harder.

Sensation Seeking Theory

Some people crave new, exciting experiences more than others.

Example: Enjoying extreme sports.

Motivational Conflicts Theory

Deciding between different goals, each with pros and cons.

Example: Choosing between a high-paying job and following your passion.

Extrinsic Motivation

Doing something for external rewards, like money or praise.

Example: Studying for a scholarship.

Intrinsic Motivation

Doing something because you enjoy it, not for outside rewards.

Example: Playing music because it’s fun.

Approach-Approach Conflict

Choosing between two things you want.

Example: Deciding between a beach or mountain vacation.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

Wanting something but also seeing the downsides.

Example: Wanting a job that’s far away.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

Choosing between two things you don’t want to do.

Example: Deciding between doing chores or going to a doctor’s visit.

Glucose

A type of sugar that gives your body energy.

Example: When you eat bread, your body turns it into (the word) for energy.

Leptin

A hormone that helps control how hungry you feel.

Example: After eating, (this word) tells your brain to stop feeling hungry.

PYY (Peptide YY)

A hormone that helps you feel full after eating.

Example: After a large meal, (this word) helps you feel satisfied.

Ghrelin

A hormone that makes you feel hungry.

Example: Your body produces more (this word) before meals, making you want to eat.

Orexin

A substance in your brain that helps keep you awake and makes you feel hungry.

Example: When you're tired, (this word) can make you crave snacks.

Insulin

A hormone that helps your body use sugar for energy.

Example: After eating sweets, (this word) helps lower your blood sugar.

Set Point

The weight your body naturally tries to maintain.

Example: If you lose weight, your body might make you feel hungrier to return to your (this word).

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The energy your body needs to stay alive when you’re resting.

Example: If your (this word) is 1,500 calories, you need to eat at least that many calories to keep your body functioning.

Hypothalamus (Regulation)

A part of your brain that controls hunger, thirst, and temperature.

Example: When you haven’t eaten in a while, (this word) makes you feel hungry.

Lateral Hypothalamus

The part of your brain that makes you feel hungry.

Example: When this part is active, you might start craving food.

Ventromedial Nucleus of Hypothalamus (VMH)

The part of your brain that tells you when to stop eating.

Example: When (this word) is activated, you feel full and stop eating.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder where a person is afraid of gaining weight and doesn't eat enough.

Example: A person with (this word) might skip meals and exercise too much.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder where someone eats a lot of food and then tries to get rid of it (like vomiting).

Example: A person with (this word) might eat a large meal and then vomit to avoid gaining weight.

Binge Eating

Eating large amounts of food in a short time, often because of stress or emotions.

Example: A person might (this word) when feeling anxious or sad.

Emotion

A feeling you get in response to something.

Example: Feeling happy when you get good news.

James-Lange Theory

We feel emotions because of our body's reactions.

Example: If you start shaking when you see a bear, you feel fear because you're shaking.

Cannon-Bard Theory

 Emotions and body reactions happen at the same time.

Example: When you see a snake, your heart races and you feel fear at the same time.

Schachter & Singer

Researchers who showed how our body feelings and thoughts create emotions.

Example: If you're stressed, your body might feel tense, and your thoughts might make you feel more or less afraid.

Two-Factor Theory

Emotions come from two things: how your body reacts and how you think about that reaction.

Example: If your heart races before going on stage, you might label that feeling as excitement.

Polygraph

A device that measures body reactions (like heart rate) to detect if someone is lying.

Example: This word can show changes in heart rate when someone lies.

Catharsis

Letting your emotions out to feel better.

Example: Crying after a tough breakup helps release painful feelings.

Feel-Good Do-Good Phenomenon

When you're in a good mood, you're more likely to help others.

Example: After getting good news, you might help someone out of kindness.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Your facial expressions can influence your emotions.

Example: Smiling can make you feel happier.

Positive Psychology

The study of happiness, strengths, and factors that help people thrive.

Example: Researching how gratitude can make people happier.

Well-Being

Feeling good in different parts of your life, like physically, mentally, and socially.

Example: Having supportive friends, good health, and a job you enjoy all contribute to your (this word).

Subjective Well-Being

How happy you feel about your life.

Example: A person feels happy with their job and relationships.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Positive changes that happen after going through tough times.

Example: A person feels stronger and more appreciative of life after overcoming a serious illness.

Stress

Feeling overwhelmed when facing challenges.

Example: Being nervous about a big test.

General Adaptation Syndrome

The three stages your body goes through when stressed: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Example: Getting stressed about a deadline (alarm), working hard to meet it (resistance), and feeling tired after too much work (exhaustion).

Coronary Heart Disease

Heart problems caused by plaque building up in your arteries.

Example: High blood pressure can lead to heart disease.

Type A

A personality that is competitive and always in a hurry.

Example: Trying to finish lots of tasks quickly and getting frustrated if things go wrong.

Type B

A relaxed and easy-going personality.

Example: Taking your time and not stressing about deadlines.

Eustress

Positive stress that motivates you.

Example: Feeling excited before a job interview.

Distress

Negative stress that makes you feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Example: Worrying about failing a test.

Hypertension

High blood pressure that can cause health problems.

Example: Having headaches or feeling tired because of high blood pressure.

Health Psychology

The study of how our mind affects our health.

Example: How stress can lead to health problems like headaches.

Problem-Focused Coping

Solving the problem causing your stress.

Example: Making a plan to finish your homework on time.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Managing your feelings when stressed.

Example: Talking to a friend to feel better after a bad day.

Tend and Befriend Theory

When stressed, people (especially women) seek support from others.

Example: Calling a friend for comfort when you're feeling down.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Difficult or traumatic events in childhood that affect you later in life.

Example: Being abused as a child can cause long-term emotional problems.

Personality

The way a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

Example: Someone who is talkative and social might be called an extrovert.

Free Association

Talking freely without holding back to reveal unconscious thoughts.

Example: A person might start talking about their past when asked a simple question.

Psychoanalysis

A way to treat emotional problems by talking about thoughts and feelings.

Example: A therapist helps a patient understand their deep fears by talking about their childhood.

Psychodynamic Approach

Understanding how past experiences and the unconscious mind affect behavior.

Example: A person might fear relationships because of past childhood trauma.

Sigmund Freud

The founder of psychoanalysis, a method to explore the unconscious mind.

Example: His work on unconscious thoughts changed how we view human behavior.

Unconscious

Thoughts and feelings we aren't aware of but that influence us.

Example: A person might feel anxious without knowing it's related to past experiences.

Id

 The part of the mind that seeks instant pleasure.

Example: A child crying for candy without thinking of the consequences.

Ego

The rational part of the mind that balances desires and reality.

Example: Deciding to wait for dessert after dinner instead of taking it early.

Superego

The part of the mind that judges right from wrong based on morals.

Example: Feeling bad about lying because it goes against your morals.

Psychosexual Stages

Phases of childhood development where different needs are focused on.

Example: During the oral stage, babies enjoy sucking on things.

Oral Stage

The first stage of development where babies focus on their mouths for pleasure.

Example: Babies suck their thumbs for comfort.

Anal Stage

The stage where toddlers learn control over their bowel movements.

Example: A child feels pride or shame based on potty training success.

Phallic Stage

The stage when children become aware of their bodies and gender differences.

Example: A boy might become curious about his body and notice the differences between boys and girls.

Latency Stage

A period where sexual feelings are repressed and children focus on friendships and social skills.

Example: A child plays sports and makes friends rather than focusing on romantic feelings.

Genital Stage

The stage starting at puberty where individuals form mature sexual relationships.

Example: A teenager starts developing serious romantic relationships.

Oedipus Complex (NOT PROVEN!)

A boy's unconscious desire for his mother and jealousy toward his father.

Example: A young boy feels jealous when his mother gives attention to his father.

Electra Complex (NOT PROVEN!)

A girl's unconscious desire for her father and rivalry with her mother.

Example: A young girl feels envious of the attention her father gives her mother.

Freudian Slip

A mistake in speech or writing that reveals unconscious thoughts.

Example: Calling your teacher "Mom" instead of "Ms. Smith."

Identification

Adopting traits or behaviors from another person, often a parent or role model.

Example: A child copying their parent's actions or beliefs.

Fixation

Getting stuck at a certain psychosexual stage, leading to ongoing issues in adulthood.

Example: Someone with an oral (this word) may have problems with smoking or nail-biting.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies to cope with stress and protect the ego.

Example: Denying failure instead of accepting it.

Repression

Pushing painful memories or thoughts out of conscious awareness to avoid emotional pain.

Example: Forgetting a traumatic event like a car accident.

Compensation

Emphasizing strengths to cover up weaknesses.

Example: Someone insecure about their looks excelling in academics to feel better.

Regression

Returning to behaviors from an earlier stage of development when faced with stress.

Example: An adult throwing a tantrum when dealing with a tough situation.

Reaction Formation

Acting the opposite of how you truly feel to hide your real emotions.

Example: Being overly friendly to someone you actually dislike.

Projection

Attributing your own feelings or thoughts to others.

Example: Blaming others for being jealous when you're the one who feels insecure.

Rationalization

Making excuses for bad actions.

Example: A student cheats and says, "Everyone does it."

Displacement

Taking out feelings on someone or something else.

Example: Someone yells at their partner after being mad at their boss.

Sublimation

Turning bad feelings into good actions.

Example: A person with anger issues takes up boxing.

Denial

Refusing to believe something is true.

Example: A person refuses to admit they have a drinking problem.

Neo-Freudian

Psychologists who added to Freud’s ideas, focusing more on society.

Example: Erik Erikson studied how social life shapes us.

Erik Erikson

Psychologist who said people go through eight stages of growth.

Example: He explained how trust and identity develop in life.

Alfred Adler

Psychologist who said feeling "less than" others drives us.

Example: He thought people try to feel better by working harder.

Inferiority Complex

Feeling not as good as others.

Example: A student feels bad because others are better at school.

Karen Horney

Psychologist who disagreed with Freud on women’s roles.

Example: She said men might feel jealous of women’s ability to give birth.

Carl Jung

Psychologist who studied shared memories and symbols in people’s minds.

Example: He looked at dreams to understand universal ideas like heroes.

Collective Unconscious

Shared memories and ideas passed down from our ancestors.

Example: Archetypes like "the hero" show up in many cultures’ stories.

Projective Test

A test where people interpret unclear pictures, revealing inner feelings.

Example: The Rorschach inkblot test is one example.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A test where people create stories about pictures, showing their thoughts and needs.

Example: A person tells a story about two arguing people, showing their feelings about conflict.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A test where you look at inkblots and say what you see, which shows your personality.

Example: Seeing a butterfly might show you’re positive.

Carl Rogers

Psychologist who created a therapy where listening and accepting people helps them grow.

Example: He believed the best way to help people is to listen without judgment.

Abraham Maslow

Psychologist who created a theory about what motivates people.

Example: He found that people need basic things first before they focus on self-growth.

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s idea that people’s needs go from survival to personal growth.

Example: You need food before thinking about personal goals.

Self-Actualization

Reaching your full potential and being the best version of yourself.

Example: An artist creating their best work.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting someone no matter what.

Example: A parent supports their child no matter what.

Conditions of Worth

Believing you’re only good enough if you meet certain expectations.

Example: A student thinks they’re only good if they get straight A’s.