Emotions and Motivation

Psychology FIA3 exam Unit 2. Topic 4? i think..

Schacter and Singer 2 Factor Theory

The body reacts to a stimulus which causes physiological arousal (heart beating, sweating, etc). The surrounding environment is then observed and cognitive labelling occurs, leading to an emotion being assigned to the context.

Appraisal Theory

The theory states our emotions are caused by how the situation is interpreted cognitively first, which triggers physiological arousal and emotion.

Three components of emotion

Cognitive: The brain interprets and makes sense of a situation. Physiological: Automatic body changes triggered by the autonomic nervous system. Behavioral: How emotions are expressed through body language and facial expressions.

Role of the Thalamus

Receives signals and reroutes them to necessary parts of the brain, connecting sensory input to emotional responses.

Hypothalamus

Controls the body’s physical response to emotions. Linked to the nervous system.

Amygdala

Processes raw emotions and triggers reactions

Hippocampus

Forms memories and stores context of emotional events.

Basal Ganglia

Manages reward, motivation and habit. Processes feelings of pleasure and reinforces rewarding behaviour

Task orientation

Success is measured by personal growth, learning new skills and putting in maximum effort. Judged in self-referenced ways like comparing past performance to current. Leads to intrinsic motivation.

Ego orientation

Success is defined by outperforming others and demonstrating superior ability. Judged in a norm-referenced way. Can lead to anxiety and decreased confidence.

Intrinsic motivation

Doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction and enjoyment. Driver: internal desire, curiosity, the joy of the task itself. Aligned with task orientation as when you focus on mastery you find the process rewarding.

Extrinsic motivation

Doing an activity to obtain a separate outcome or reward. Driver: External incentives like money, praise, status. Aligned with ego orientation as success depends on external validation and outperforming others.

Outcome expectations

Your judgement of what the consequences or results of that behavior will be, assuming you execute it correctly. If I do this, what will happen?  

Self-Efficacy expectations

Your personal belief in your ability to successfully execute a specific behavior or task. Can I do this?

Explain mindfulness

The practice of maintaining awareness of the body and physical surroundings, feelings, thoughts through acceptance and attention. Attention is tuning into the present moment and acceptance is being aware of your thoughts and experiences without labelling them as good or bad.

Describe flow

The state of complete absorption where and individual is fully immersed in an activity with deep involvement. You’re left with a positive affect in the long run, it transforms complex tasks into meaningful actions.

Subjective wellbeing (diener)

A persons cognitive and affective evaluations of their own life.

2 factors of psychological wellbeing

Environmental mastery is the competence in managing everyday life and complex activities. Personal growth is the process of developing your potential, staying open to new experiences and growing as a person.

Broaden and Build theory

Positive emotions expand our immediate awareness and build long term personal resources. Negative emotions narrow our focus to a specific survival action.