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motivation

feelings or ideas that cause us to act toward a goal

instinct

an automatic, involuntary, and unlearned behavior

drive-reduction theory

behavior is motivated by biological needs

homeostasis

the process by which the body maintains a stable and balanced internal environment

incentive

external stimuli that encourage or motivate behavior

set point theory

the idea that the body has a predetermined, biologically fixed weight range

basal metabolic rate

the rate of energy expenditure needed to maintain basic body functions when the body is at rest

anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder involving starvation to below 85% of normal body weight and a distorted body image; mostly affects women

bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder involving cycles of binge eating (large amounts of food) and purging

binge-eating disorder

repeated episodes of extreme overeating accompanied by feelings of loss of control

emotion

a response of the whole organism involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience

facial feedback

the idea that facial expressions can influence and regulate emotions

catharsis

emotional release

adaptation-level phenomenon

the tendency to form judgments relative to a neutral level defined by prior experience

diminishing returns

the idea that experiencing luxury reduces our ability to savor life’s simpler pleasures

health psychology

a subfield of psychology focused on how stress affects well-being and physical health

stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to events (stressors) that we appraise as threatening or challenging

stressors

specific events or chronic pressures that place demands on a person

Adverse Childhood Experiences

negative and traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction

General Adaptation Syndrome

a three-stage physiological response to stress

alarm

sudden activation of the sympathetic nervous system—heart rate rises, blood flow shifts to muscles, and the body enters shock

resistance

the body stays ready to fight; temperature, blood pressure, respiration, and stress hormones remain high

exhaustion

prolonged resistance depletes the body’s reserves, increasing vulnerability to illness, collapse, or death

fight-flight-freeze response

an automatic response to threat involving confronting, escaping, or becoming unable to act

tend-and-befriend theory

responding to stress by nurturing oneself/others and seeking social support; more common in women

problem-focused coping

addressing a stressor directly and working to eliminate or solve the problem

emotion-focused coping

managing emotional reactions to stress instead of addressing the stressor itself

hypertension

high blood pressure

headaches

pain occurring in the head or face

immune suppression

a reduced ability of the immune system to fight infections and disease

psychophysiological illness

a “mind-body” illness; any physical condition caused or worsened by stress

lymphocyte

a type of white blood cell essential for fighting infections and diseases

positive psychology

the scientific study of what makes life worth living, focusing on strengths and positive experiences

Lewin’s motivational conflicts theory

the idea that choices create conflicts that must be resolved as part of motivation

well-being

self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with life

feel-good, do-good phenomenon

the tendency for people to help others when they are in a good mood

categories of virtues

six categories believed to promote a fulfilling life

wisdom

creativity, curiosity, love of learning, and perspective

courage

bravery, honesty, perseverance, and zest

humanity

love, kindness, and social intelligence

justice

teamwork, fairness, and leadership

temperance

forgiveness, humility, self-regulation, and prudence

transcendence

appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality

post-traumatic growth

positive psychological change resulting from adversity that leads to higher functioning