Motivation and Emotion

These flashcards cover key concepts related to motivation and emotion, based on the provided lecture notes.

What is motivation?

Motivation describes a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

What situation reflects a strong survival motivation in Aron Ralston's story?

He cut his arm off to free himself when trapped.

What are the two types of motivation?

Intrinsic motivation arises from internal factors; extrinsic motivation arises from external factors.

What does drive-reduction theory suggest?

A physiological need creates an aroused state that motivates an individual to satisfy the need and return to homeostasis.

What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?

Task performance is best when arousal levels are in a middle range, with difficult tasks best performed under lower levels of arousal and simple tasks under higher levels.

According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, what must be satisfied first?

Basic physiological needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs.

What is the role of the hypothalamus in hunger?

Activity in the lateral hypothalamus brings on hunger; activity in the ventromedial hypothalamus stops eating behavior.

What is the function of the hormone ghrelin?

Ghrelin is secreted by an empty stomach and sends 'I’m hungry' signals to the brain.

Define anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is the disorder of starving oneself even when significantly underweight.

What is the need to belong?

The need to belong is a basic human motivation/drive.

What psychological effects are experienced when social ties are threatened?

People may experience anxiety, loneliness, jealousy, and guilt.

What is ostracism?

Ostracism is the deliberate social exclusion of individuals or groups that results in psychological pain.

What is the spillover effect in emotional response?

Arousal spills over from one event to the next, influencing a subsequent emotional response.

What do brain scans reveal about emotions?

They show that different emotions may activate different brain circuits; the left frontal lobe is active in positive moods and the right in negative moods.

What is the facial feedback effect?

Facial expressions can trigger corresponding feelings; for example, smiling can make one feel happier.

How do men and women differ in emotion detection?

Women generally detect emotions better than men, express greater emotion, and tend to remember emotional events better.

What two theories describe the relationship between emotion and physiological arousal?

James-Lange Theory states that emotions arise from physiological arousal; Cannon-Bard Theory states they occur simultaneously and independently.

What impact does social media have on mental health?

It can lead to both negative (e.g., anxiety, loneliness) and positive (e.g., emotional support, self-expression) effects on well-being.