Psychology: Emotion, Motivation, Health, and Stress

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the psychology of emotion, theories of motivation, eating disorders, stress responses (GAS), and health psychology principles.

Emotion

A psychological state involving thoughts (interpretations), physical changes (heart rate, hormones), and behaviors (expressions, actions).

Physiological Arousal

Body changes such as increased heartbeat, breathing changes, sweating, and pupil dilation, primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

Cognitive Appraisal

The process by which someone interprets a situation, which can lead to different emotional outcomes based on the characterization of the event.

Behavioral Expression

Observable reactions to emotions, such as smiling, crying, yelling, running, or freezing.

Paul Ekman

Researcher who proposed several universal emotions including Happiness, Sadness, Fear, Anger, Surprise, and Disgust.

Display Rules

Cultural guidelines that teach individuals when emotions should or should not be shown publicly.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The theory that facial expressions themselves can influence or trigger corresponding emotions.

James-Lange Theory

A theory of emotion stating that an event leads to a physical reaction, which then leads to the feeling of an emotion (Event $\rightarrow$ Physical reaction $\rightarrow$ Emotion).

Cannon-Bard Theory

A theory of emotion stating that an event causes an emotion and a physical reaction to occur simultaneously (Event $\rightarrow$ Emotion AND Physical reaction).

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

The theory that emotion depends on two factors: physical arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

Lazarus Cognitive Appraisal Theory

A theory proposing that thinking comes first; people evaluate a situation before experiencing an emotion.

Amygdala

A brain area important for fear, emotional memories, and recognizing danger.

Prefrontal Cortex

The part of the brain responsible for decision making, emotional regulation, and impulse control.

Insula

A brain structure that processes disgust, pain, and body awareness.

Motivation

The force that directs behavior toward specific goals, such as eating, studying, or sleeping.

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in an activity because it is inherently enjoyable or fun.

Extrinsic Motivation

Engaging in an activity to obtain a reward, such as studying for a grade.

Self-Determination Theory

A theory proposing that people are most motivated when the needs for Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness are met.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A priority list of human needs ranging from physiological needs ($1$) to safety ($2$), love and belonging ($3$), esteem ($4$), and self-actualization ($5$).

Self-Actualization

The highest level of Maslow's hierarchy, representing the goal of reaching one's full potential.

Hypothalamus

The brain region responsible for controlling hunger.

Ghrelin

A hormone that increases appetite and signals the brain with the message "I'm hungry."

Leptin

A hormone that reduces appetite and signals the brain with the message "I'm full."

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by extreme restriction of food, very low body weight, and a fear of gaining weight.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder involving repeated binge eating followed by purging through vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise.

Binge-Eating Disorder

An eating disorder characterized by repeated binge eating without the use of purging behaviors.

Stressors

Events that cause stress, such as tests, illness, money, relationships, or moving.

Acute Stress

Short-term stress, such as the feeling before giving a speech.

Chronic Stress

Long-lasting stress that persists for months, such as ongoing financial problems.

Fight-or-Flight Response

A survival response triggered by the sympathetic nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing while slowing digestion.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Hans Selye's three-stage model of stress response: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

Alarm Stage

The first stage of GAS where the body reacts immediately to a stressor.

Exhaustion Stage

The final stage of GAS where resources become depleted, increasing the risk of illness.

Cortisol

A stress hormone that raises blood sugar and provides energy, but can weaken immunity and cause memory problems if levels remain high long-term.

Problem-Focused Coping

A strategy that involves changing the situation to reduce stress, such as making a study schedule.

Emotion-Focused Coping

A strategy that involves changing the emotional response to a stressor, such as through meditation or journaling.

Learned Helplessness

Martin Seligman's theory describing a state where a person stops trying after experiencing repeated uncontrollable failures.

Biopsychosocial Model

The perspective that health depends on the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of how brain behavior and the immune system interact, showing how stress can weaken immune functioning.

Positive Psychology

A field of psychology focusing on strengths, happiness, meaning, optimism, and gratitude rather than just mental illness.

Subjective Well-Being

A person's own evaluation of their life satisfaction, including positive emotions and the absence of negative ones.