Psychology 101: Motivation and Emotion

Flashcards covering key concepts in Psychology 101 related to motivation and emotion.

Motivation

The state in which an organism experiences an inducement or incentive to do something; it explains the 'why' of behavior.

Motives

A state that activates an organism to act in a way that moves them toward their goals.

Needs

Basic physiological requirements such as food, water, and air that are necessary for survival.

Drives

States created by unmet needs that arouse an organism to action.

Incentives

Objects, persons, or situations that can satisfy a need or are desirable for their own sake.

Homeostasis

The tendency of the body to maintain a balanced internal state.

Drive-reduction theory

Theory stating that physiological needs create aroused tension states (drives) which motivate us to satisfy the need.

Self-actualization

The striving to become one's fullest potential as proposed by Maslow in his hierarchy of needs.

Satiety

The state of being satisfied or full, regulating one's eating behavior.

Anorexia nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by an individual being excessively thin.

Bulimia nervosa

An eating disorder where individuals use dangerous methods to maintain a normal weight.

Sexual orientation

The direction of one’s sexual interests and attractions.

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by internal rewards, such as personal satisfaction.

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards, such as praise or income.

Emotions

Feeling states that have physiological, cognitive, and behavioral components.

Cannon-Bard theory

Theory that suggests emotions and physiological responses occur simultaneously in response to an event.

James-Lange theory

Theory that emotions arise from our interpretation of bodily reactions to stimuli.

Cognitive appraisal theory

Theory that emotions result from an individual's evaluation of a situation and their body’s arousal level.