Psy. Motivation & Emotion

Motivation

 a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

Instinct

 a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned (e.g., imprinting in birds or the return of salmon to their birthplace to spawn).  Reflexes in human infants are too simple to be considered instincts.

Drive Reduction Theory

 the idea that a physiological NEED creates an aroused state of tension (DRIVE) that motivates an organism to satisfy that need.

Ex. NEED (for food or water)→DRIVE (hunger or thirst)→DRIVE-REDUCING BEHAVIORS (eating or drinking).

Homeostasis

 a tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level.

Arousal Theory

rather that reducing a physiological need or tension state, some motivated behaviors increase arousal.  Curiosity-driven behaviors, for example, suggest that too little as well as too much stimulation can motivate people to seek an optimum level of arousal.

Incentive Theory

Theory that even if a need or drive is not originally present, positive or negative, environmental stimuli may motivate behavior (e.g., after finishing a big meal, and feeling totally satisfied, we may become hungry again if we see or smell a delicious dessert).

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher-level needs become active. 

1) Physiological needs

2) Safety needs

3) Belongingness and love needs

4) Esteem needs

5) Self actualization

Optimal Arousal Theory

claims the level of arousal for optimal performance varies with the task – some motivated behaviors actually increase arousal. Unlike drive-reduction theories which say that we do something to eliminate arousal, this theory claims we do things to increase arousal

Yerkes-Dodson Law

 usually perform most activities best when moderately aroused.

We perform difficult or newly learned tasks better at lower levels of arousal and we tend to perform easy or well-learned tasks at a higher level of arousal

Ex. When learning to drive we need a low level of arousal or stress (no distractions like the radio playing) but once you have been driving a long time you may need to radio on to keep you alert and attentive

Emotion

 Response that includes physiological arousal, expressive behavior and conscious thoughts

James-Lange Theory

Stimulus = snake

A. Physiological reaction occurs FIRST such as heart rate, pulse, or breathing increases

B. Emotion follows – fear

Cannon-Bard Theory

Stimulus = snake

         A. Thalamus sends message to the cortex and internal organs SIMULTANEOUSLY

         B. Experience emotion (fear) and physiological behavior (heart pounding) at the same time

Cognition Theory

Stimulus = snake

         A. Physiological response occurs – heart pounding

         B. Mind interprets the experience – Look there is a snake! OMG!

         C. Emotion is labeled – I must be feeling fear!

Criticism

Some physiological responses to a stimulus can trigger emotion before the brain has a chance to interpret them as simple emotions such as fear, dislike, disgust 

Robert Zajonc

 We have an emotional reaction BEFORE we interpret a situation. Some (fear) responses happen without conscious appraisal

Richard Lazarus

Our brain processes vast amounts of information without our awareness and SOME emotional responses do not require conscious thinking. (Similar to Zajonc)

HOWEVER…there is still cognitive appraisal happening, we just might not be aware of it. This still makes it a cognitive process (Similar to the Two-Factor theory)

Lie Detection

 Polygraph is the machine used to detect lies by measuring several physiological responses (perspiration, heart rate, breathing) Assumes that these responses will RISE when the person lies due to emotion. NOT VERY ACCURATE

Display Rules

 Socially learned norms within a culture that dictate how emotions should be expressed

 Facial Feedback Effect

 Smiling makes you feel happy!

When people smile, the facial muscles regulate the flow of air and temperature that can create a good feeling. When we imitate others’ facial expressions we also feel the way they feel.

Fear

1. Adaptive response preparing our bodies to flee danger

2. Acquired through classical conditioning or observational learning

3. May have a biological predisposition in how the amygdala responds

Anger

1. Caused by annoyances, odors, temperatures, aches and pains

2. How to channel anger appropriately? Exercise, play music, talking

3. Expressing anger usually leads to more anger – non cathartic

Adaptation-Level Principle

 we adapt to levels of a stimulus and need something even better to

  make us happy

         Ex: If used to getting B’s we need to now get A’s to feel happy about report card

Relative-Deprivation Principle

 sense that we are worse off than other with whom we compare

ourselves. We look to those who are more successful/happy/wealthy than ourselves and feel envy

rather than compare ourselves to those worse off and feel happy.

         Ex. Child gets a new toy and is excited until he sees the neighbor who has a bigger toy

Predictors of happiness

 High self-esteem, out-going, friends, work, faith, sleep, exercise