Ap psychology motivation unit

Drive-Reduction Theory

A physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need. Example: Feeling thirsty (need) creates a drive to drink water.

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state. Example: Sweating to maintain a steady internal body temperature.

Belongingness

The emotional need to be an accepted member of a group and feel close to others. Example: Joining a school club to feel connected to peers.

Arousal Theory

The idea that people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of alertness and activation. Example: Taking a walk when you feel restless or bored.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

The principle that performance increases with arousal (stess) only up to a point, beyond which performance (stress) decreases.

Example: A little bit of adrenaline helps you stay energetic and engaging. Too much adrenaline makes your voice shake, your heart race, and causes you to lose your train of thought.

Sensation-Seeking Theory

A personality trait defined by the search for experiences that are novel, complex, and intense. Example: Preferring high-intensity activities like rock climbing.

Thrill Seeking

A subset of sensation seeking focusing on risky but socially acceptable physical activities. Example: Skydiving or bungee jumping.

Adventure Seeking

Seeking excitement through travel or unusual, non-routine activities. Example: Backpacking through a foreign country.

Boredom Susceptibility

more likely to avoid repetitive or predictable tasks and people. Example: Getting restless during a long, unchanging lecture.

Incentive Theory

explains motivation as being driven by external rewards or incentives—we act in ways that help us gain rewards or avoid punishment.Example: Studying hard specifically to earn a $20 reward.

Extrinsic Motivation

A desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid punishment. Example: Working extra hours solely for a bonus.

Self-Determination Theory

Theory suggesting people are motivated by three innate needs: competence, connection, and autonomy. Example: An artist feeling motivated because they have creative control over their work.

Intrinsic Motivation

A desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake. Example: Playing an instrument because you find the process personally rewarding.

Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts Theory

explains how conflict arises when a person must choose between goals that have positive and/or negative aspects. Example: Deciding between two equally good job offers.

Approach-Approach Conflict

Choosing between two desirable options. Example: Choosing between two of your favorite desserts.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

Choosing between two unattractive options. Example: Choosing between doing the dishes or cleaning the bathroom.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

A single goal that has both positive and negative aspects. Example: A promotion that pays more but requires working on weekends.

Facial-Feedback Hypothesis

The tendency of facial muscle states to trigger corresponding feelings. Example: Forcing a smile for several minutes to improve your mood.

Display Rules

A social group's informal norms about how and when to express emotions. Example: Maintaining a neutral face in a professional meeting even when frustrated.

Elicitors

Events or stimuli that trigger an emotional response. Example: A sudden loud noise acting as an elicitor for fear.

Broaden-and-Build Theory

Suggests that positive emotions expand awareness and encourage exploratory thoughts. Example: Joy leading to creative play, which builds social skills over time.

Universal Emotions

Emotions recognized across all cultures: Happiness, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, Anger, and Surprise. Example: A smile being recognized as a sign of happiness globally.

Psychodynamic Theory

seeing how personality relates with a focus on the unconscious and childhood experiences. Example: Analyzing how early family dynamics influence adult relationships.

Preconscious Mind

Information that is not currently in consciousness but can be recalled voluntarily. Example: Remembering your phone number when asked.

Unconscious Mind

hidden unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories. Example: Hidden childhood traumas influencing current behavior.

Denial

Refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities. Example: A person refusing to admit they have a serious health issue.

Displacement

Shifting sexual or aggressive impulses toward a less threatening object or person. Example: Yelling at a sibling because you are angry at your boss.

Projection

Disguising one's own threatening impulses by accusing other people of doing it. Example: A person who is cheating accusing their partner of being unfaithful.

Rationalization

Offering self-justifying explanations in place of the real unconscious reasons for actions. Example: Saying you failed a test only because the questions were "unfair."

Reaction Formation

Switching unacceptable impulses into their opposites. Example: Being excessively nice to someone you actually dislike.

Regression

Retreating to a more infantile psychosexual stage when stressed. Example: A teenager throwing a temper tantrum when they don't get their way.

Repression

The basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts from consciousness. Example: Being unable to remember a traumatic car accident.

Sublimation

Transferring unacceptable impulses into socially valued motives. Example: Channeling aggressive energy into competitive sports.

Humanistic Psychology

focuses on personal growth, free will, and the drive to reach one’s full potential.(continuing to move forward in life) Example: Focusing on a person's current choices rather than their past mistakes.

Unconditional Regard

A caring, accepting, nonjudgmental attitude used to help develop self-awareness. Example: A therapist accepting a client regardless of what they confess.

Self-Actualizing Tendency

The striving to fulfill one's potential and become the best person possible. Example: Pursuing a difficult career path because it aligns with your true talents.

Social-Cognitive Theory

the result of interactions between your thoughts, behaviors, and environment, especially focusing on how we learn by observing others/ourselves. Example: Considering how your thoughts and your environment both affect your study habits.

Reciprocal Determinism

The interacting influences of behavior, personal factors, and enviornment all influence eachother. Example: Your interest in art (cognition) leads you to join a club (environment), which improves your skills (behavior).

Self-Concept

All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves in response to the question, "Who am I?" Example: Describing yourself as "hardworking" and "creative."

Self-Efficacy

One’s sense of competence and effectiveness on a specific task. Example: Feeling confident that you can master a specific math formula.

Self-Esteem

One’s overall feelings of high or low self-worth. Example: Feeling generally good about your value as a person.

Trait Theories

Theories that describe the characteristics that make up human personality to predict behavior. Example: Using a test to determine if someone is naturally introverted or extroverted.

Big Five Theory

The five broad dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). Example: Scoring high in Conscientiousness means you are likely very organized.

Personality Inventories

questions used to assess selected personality traits. Example: Taking the MMPI to assess psychological traits.

Factor Analysis

grouping together related variables. to find a common trait amongst people Example: Finding that people who like parties also like meeting new people (Extraversion).

Openness to Experience

how curious, imaginative, and willing someone is to try new ideas or experiences.Example: Someone who enjoys trying exotic foods and learning new skills.

Conscientiousness

how organized, responsible, and self-disciplined a person is.Example: A student who always turns in assignments early and keeps a neat desk.

Extraversion

A trait characterized by sociability, assertiveness, and emotional expressiveness. Example: Someone who feels energized by spending time in large groups.

Agreeableness

A trait characterized by being cooperative, trustworthy, and good-natured. Example: A person who is always willing to help others and avoids conflict.

Emotional Stability

The ability to remain calm and secure rather than anxious or insecure (also known as low Neuroticism). Example: Staying composed and level-headed during a stressful exam.