Comprehensive Review of Theories of Motivation and Emotion

A comprehensive set of flashcards focusing on key concepts from the theories of motivation and emotion, helping to reinforce understanding and prepare for examinations.

Instincts

Innate, fixed patterns of behavior in animals triggered by specific stimuli.

Drive-Reduction Theory

Behavior motivated by the need to reduce internal drives caused by physiological deficits.

Homeostasis

The body’s effort to maintain stable internal conditions.

Ghrelin

A hormone produced in the stomach that stimulates appetite.

Leptin

A hormone produced by fat cells that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.

Belongingness

The innate human desire to form and sustain close, meaningful relationships.

Arousal Theory

Individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of alertness, seeking to increase or decrease it.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Performance increases with arousal up to a point, after which performance decreases.

Sensation-Seeking Theory

Proposes that motivation is driven by the need for varied, novel, and intense experiences.

Thrill Seeking

A component of sensation-seeking where individuals desire intense and exciting experiences.

Adventure Seeking

A component of sensation-seeking involving the desire for new, challenging experiences.

Disinhibition

The tendency to seek social and experiential thrills by engaging in behaviors restrained by social norms.

Boredom Susceptibility

An individual's intolerance for repetitive or monotonous experiences.

Incentive Theory

Behavior motivated by the desire for external rewards or incentives.

Self-Determination Theory

Proposes people are motivated by intrinsic or extrinsic motivations.

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in activities for their own sake, driven by internal rewards.

Extrinsic Motivation

Engaging in behavior due to external rewards or pressures.

Lewin's Motivational Conflicts Theory

Describes the psychological struggles individuals face when making decisions.

Approach-Approach Conflicts

Conflicts occurring when selecting between two desirable options.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflicts

Conflicts occurring when choosing between two undesirable options.

Approach-Avoidance Conflicts

Conflicts occurring when drawn to and repelled by the same option.

Emotion

A feeling involving thoughts, body reactions, and actions, influenced by internal and external factors.

Elicitors

Stimuli or events that trigger an emotional response.

Arousal Comes Before Emotion

The theory that emotions follow bodily arousal.

Facial-Feedback Hypothesis

The idea that facial expressions can influence emotions.

Arousal and Emotion Occur Simultaneously

Arousal and emotion happen at the same time and independently.

Arousal + Cognitive Label = Emotion

Emotion results from physiological arousal and a cognitive label.

Display Rules

Cultural norms dictating how individuals should express emotions.

Psychodynamic Theory

Suggests personality is shaped by unconscious forces and internal conflicts.

Preconscious Mind

Contains thoughts that can be easily accessed when needed.

Unconscious Mind

Processes beyond conscious awareness influencing thoughts and behaviors.

Projective Tests

Tools used to assess personality by eliciting responses revealing unconscious content.

Ego Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety.

Denial

Refusal to acknowledge reality or facts as a defense mechanism.

Displacement

Redirecting emotional impulses to a safer substitute target.

Projection

Attributing unacceptable feelings to someone else to deflect self-criticism.

Rationalization

Justifying behaviors in a rational manner to avoid confronting true reasons.

Reaction Formation

Suppressing unacceptable impulses by displaying the opposite behavior.

Regression

Reverting to earlier stages of development when faced with stress.

Repression

Blocking distressing thoughts and feelings from conscious awareness.

Sublimation

Channeling negative urges into socially acceptable activities.

Humanistic Psychology

Focuses on self-growth and the uniqueness of each individual.

Unconditional Regard

Acceptance and love without conditions, fostering growth and self-acceptance.

Self-Actualizing Tendency

The innate drive to grow, develop, and realize one's potential.

Social-Cognitive Theory

Emphasizes the influence of cognitive processes and behaviors in understanding personality.

Reciprocal Determinism

An individual's behavior, personal factors, and environment influence each other.

Self-Concept

An individual's perception and evaluation of themselves.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations.

Self-Esteem

An individual's emotional evaluation of their own worth.

Trait

Stable characteristics that influence how a person thinks and behaves.

Big Five Theory

Identifies five dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Personality Inventories

Standardized tools used to assess personality traits through self-report questionnaires.

Factor Analysis

Statistical method to identify clusters of related items in data.

Openness to Experience

Personality trait encompassing imagination and willingness to engage with new ideas.

Conscientiousness

Personality trait marked by organization, dependability, and discipline.

Extraversion

Personality trait characterized by sociability, energy, and assertiveness.

Agreeableness

Personality trait characterized by warmth, kindness, and empathy.

Emotional Stability (Neuroticism)

Trait of having consistent emotional reactions and resilience.