AP Psychology Unit 7 part 1

motivation

A character's incentive or reason for behaving in a certain manner; that which impels a character to act

instinct

a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned

Drive-Redcution Theory

the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need

homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal (physical + mental) state

incentive

a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior

Yerkes-Dodson Law

the principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases

heirarchy of needs

Maslow's pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher level safety needs and then psychological needs become active. (Physiological, Safety, Belongingness/Love, Esteem, Self-actualization)

glucose

A simple sugar that is an important source of energy; when its level is low, we feel hunger

set point

the point at which one's body tries maintain weight (+/-5 lbs.)

Basal Metabolic Rate

the body rate of energy/calories burned at a resting state

Sexual Response Cycle

the four stages of sexual responding described by Masters and Johnson - excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution

Refractory period

the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated

Sexual dysfunction

a disorder marked by a persistent inability to function normally in some area of the sexual response cycle

estrogen

A sex hormone, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males

Testosterone

a sex hormone secreted in greater amounts by males than by females

emotion

a response of the whole organism, involving, physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience

James-Lang Theory

Arousal comes before emotion

Cannon-Bard Theory

emotion and arousal occur simultaneously

two-factor theory

the Schachter-Singer theory that emotions have two ingredients: physical arousal and cognitive appraisal.

polygraph

a machine that writes down many different changes in the body while the person answers questions; a lie detector test

facial feedback effect

the tendency of facial muscle states to trigger corresponding feelings such as fear, anger, or happiness

health psychology

a subfield of psychology that provides psychology's contribution to behavioral medicine

stress

the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands

general adaption syndrome

Selye's concept of the body's adaptive response to stress in three phases—alarm, resistance, exhaustion

tend-and-befriend response

under stress, people (especially women) often provide support to others (tend) and bond with and seek support from others (befriend)

psychophysiological illness

"mind-body" illness; any stress related physical illness such as hypertension and headaches

Psychoneuroimmunology

the study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine processes together affect the immune system and resulting health; aka BIOFEEDBACK

Lymphocytes

The two types of white blood cells that are part of the body's immune system: B lymphocytes form in the bone marrow and release antibodies that fight bacterial infections; T lymphocytes form in the thymus and other lymphatic tissue and attack cancer cells, viruses, and foreign substances.

coronary heart disease

the clogging of the vessels that nourish the heart muscle

Type A

a term used for competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and angry-prone people

Type B

refers to easygoing, relaxed people