Unit 4 - Motivation and Emotion

Drive reduction theory

motivation comes from the need to reduce physical discomfort and return the body to balance, for example eating food when you feel hungry

Homeostasis

the body’s tendency to maintain a stable internal state, for example sweating when you are hot to cool down

Arousal theory

people are motivated to keep an optimal level of alertness, for example listening to music while studying to stay focused

Optimal level of arousal

the ideal level of alertness for best performance, for example being slightly nervous before a test but not panicking

Yerkes Dodson Law

performance increases with arousal up to a point then decreases if too stressed, for example too much anxiety causing you to mess up on a test

Self determination theory

motivation is driven by the need for autonomy, competence, and connection, for example wanting to improve at a sport because you enjoy it and feel capable

Intrinsic motivation

doing something because you enjoy it, for example playing a video game because it is fun

Incentive theory

behavior is motivated by rewards or consequences, for example studying to get good grades or money

Extrinsic motivation

doing something for an external reward, for example doing homework to avoid punishment or earn a reward

Instincts

inborn patterns of behavior that all humans share, for example babies sucking for food

Lewins motivational conflicts theory

explains how people deal with conflicting goals, for example wanting something but also fearing it

Approach approach conflicts

choosing between two good options, for example picking between two colleges you like

Approach avoidance conflicts

one option has both good and bad parts, for example wanting a high paying job but disliking the stress

Avoidance avoidance conflicts

choosing between two bad options, for example doing homework or getting a bad grade

Sensation seeking theory

people are motivated to seek exciting and risky experiences, for example riding roller coasters

Thrill seeking

desire for dangerous or intense activities, for example skydiving

Adventure seeking

desire for new and unusual experiences, for example traveling somewhere unfamiliar

Disinhibition

seeking experiences without social restraints, for example partying or risky behavior

Boredom susceptibility

low tolerance for repetitive or boring situations, for example getting restless doing the same task every day

Ghrelin

hormone that increases hunger, for example your stomach growling before eating

Leptin

hormone that signals fullness, for example feeling satisfied after a meal

Hypothalamus

brain region that controls hunger and body balance, for example triggering hunger when your body needs energy

Pituitary gland

gland that controls hormones and works with the hypothalamus, for example releasing hormones that affect growth and hunger

Affect

general feeling or emotion that can be positive or negative, for example feeling happy or anxious

Internal and external factors

emotions are influenced by both thoughts and environment, for example stress from school or your own worries affecting mood

Physiological vs cognitive experiences

emotions involve both body reactions and thoughts, for example heart racing and thinking “I am scared”

Cognitive label

the interpretation you give to a physical feeling, for example deciding your racing heart means excitement not fear

Facial feedback hypothesis

facial expressions can influence emotions, for example forcing a smile can make you feel happier

Cognitive appraisal

emotions depend on how you interpret a situation, for example seeing a test as a challenge vs a threat changes how you feel

Display rules

cultural norms about how emotions should be shown, for example hiding anger in public but showing it with friends

Elicitors

stimuli that trigger emotions, for example seeing a snake causing fear or hearing good news causing happiness