Comprehensive Psychology: Motivation, Sleep, and Sexuality Theories

Motivation

Internal processes that energize, direct, and sustain behavior toward goals.

Consciousness

Awareness of oneself and the environment; includes thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

Drive / Motivational State

An internal condition (often physiological) that pushes an organism to act to reduce imbalance.

Incentives / Reinforcers / Goals

External stimuli or outcomes that motivate behavior by attraction or avoidance.

Drive Reduction Theory

Theory that motivation arises from the desire to reduce internal tension and restore homeostasis.

Optimal Arousal Theory

Theory that people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal (not too high or low).

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Performance increases with arousal up to a point, then decreases if arousal becomes too high.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Theory that basic needs must be met before higher-level psychological needs.

Instinct / Evolutionary Theory

Behaviors are motivated by innate, evolutionarily adaptive instincts.

Regulatory Drive

A drive that maintains homeostasis (e.g., hunger, thirst, sleep).

Non-Regulatory Drive

A drive not directly tied to homeostasis (e.g., sex, curiosity).

Central-State Theory

Theory that drives are generated by central brain mechanisms rather than peripheral bodily deficits.

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain stable internal conditions.

Hunger Drive

Motivational state triggered by energy deficits.

Feedback Control System

A system in which outcomes feed back to regulate future activity.

Arcuate Nucleus

Hypothalamic region that integrates hunger-related hormonal signals and regulates appetite.

Lewin's Motivational Conflicts Theory

Describes conflicts that arise when goals have competing motivations.

Approach-Approach Conflict

Choice between two attractive options.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

Choice between two unattractive options.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

Single goal has both attractive and unattractive aspects.

Self-Determination Theory

Theory that humans are motivated by needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards or punishment.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by internal enjoyment or interest.

Ghrelin

Hormone that stimulates hunger.

Leptin

Hormone released by fat cells that signals satiety and energy sufficiency.

Sensation-Seeking Theory

Theory that people differ in their need for stimulation.

Thrill Seeking

Desire for intense or risky experiences.

Disinhibition

Tendency to seek stimulation through impulsive or risky behavior.

Boredom Susceptibility

Intolerance for repetitive or unstimulating situations.

Sex Drive

Motivation for sexual activity; not directly homeostatic.

Elicitors

External stimuli that trigger sexual arousal.

Sexual Response Cycle

Pattern of physiological sexual responses.

Initial Excitement

Increasing arousal.

Plateau Phase

Sustained high arousal.

Orgasm

Peak pleasure and release.

Resolution

Return to unaroused state.

Refractory Period

Time after orgasm when arousal is not possible.

Puberty

Period of sexual maturation triggered by hormonal changes.

Androgens

Male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone).

Estrogens

Female sex hormones.

DHEA

Weak androgen involved in sexual development.

XX / XY

Chromosomal sex patterns (female/male).

Intersexed

Condition where sexual anatomy does not fit typical male or female categories.

Sexual Orientation

Pattern of romantic or sexual attraction.

Sleep Drive

Pressure to sleep that increases with time awake.

Circadian Rhythm

24-hour biological clock regulating sleep and wakefulness.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Hypothalamic clock that regulates circadian rhythm using light cues.

Shift Work

Work schedules that disrupt circadian rhythms.

Hypnagogic Sensations

Dreamlike experiences occurring at sleep onset.

NREM Stage 1

Light sleep; theta waves.

NREM Stage 2

Sleep spindles and K-complexes.

NREM Stage 3

Deep sleep; delta waves.

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep; dreaming, paralysis, beta-like EEG.

REM Rebound

Increased REM sleep after deprivation.

Memory Consolidation

Process by which memories are stabilized during sleep.

Restoration of Resources

Theory that sleep restores physical and mental energy.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Dreams result from the brain interpreting random neural activity.

Consolidation Theory (dreams)

Dreams help integrate and strengthen memories.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Disorder involving sudden sleep attacks and REM intrusion.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruptions during sleep.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Acting out dreams due to lack of REM paralysis.

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking during deep NREM sleep.

Beta Waves

Fast, low amplitude; alert wakefulness.

Alpha Waves

Relaxed wakefulness.

Theta Waves

Light sleep (Stage 1).

Delta Waves

Deep sleep (Stage 3).

Emotion

Short-lived, intense response involving arousal, feeling, and behavior.

Mood

Longer-lasting emotional state.

Cognitive Appraisal

Interpretation of a situation that influences emotion.

Cognitive Label

Conscious interpretation of physiological arousal.

James-Lange Theory

Emotions result from perception of physiological changes.

Schachter's Cognition Plus Feedback Theory (Two-Factor)

Emotion = arousal + cognitive label.

Paul Ekman

Proposed universal basic emotions expressed through facial expressions.