AP Psych Motivations and Emotions

Instinct theory

Some motivations are driven by instincts, unlearned behaviors with a fixed pattern throughout a species.

Drive-reduction theory

A physiological (bodily) need creates an aroused tension state. You want to achieve homeostasis.

Also influenced by incentives — positive or negative environmental stimuli that lure or repel us

Arousal theory

We are motivated to seek an optimal level of arousal (alertness/excitement), not just eliminate drives.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Performance increases with arousal, but only up to a point. Beyond that optimal level, performance decreases. Inverted U shape

Approach-Approach

Choose between 2 good options

Avoidance-avoidance

Choose between 2 bad options

Approach-avoidance

One option has both good and bad points.

Self-determination

Driven by internal joy vs. external pressures

Emotion

Complex physiological state involving three distinct components

Physiological arousal

Bodily responses

Expressive behaviors

Outward signs (facial expressions, tone of voice)

Conscious experience

Thoughts and the subjective labeling of how you feel

Body first, then feeling

View 1, we experience a physiological change first, then our mind interprets this physical change as an emotion

Body and feeling together

View 2, the physiological response and the conscious experience of emotion happen at the same time

Thinking labels the feeling

Physiological arousal might be similar across different emotions. We need to apply a cognitive label (interpret the context, identify cause) to the arousal to experience a specific emotion

Facial-feedback hypothesis

The idea that facial muscles states trigger corresponding feelings

Behavior-feedback effect

The tendency four our body posture and movements to influence our own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and actions

Broaden-and-build theory

Proposes that positive emotions tend to broaden (widen our awareness, thoughts, actions) and build (help us develop skills and resources over time).

Display rules

learned cultural norms or guidelines about how often and under what circumstances various emotions should be expressed