Gen. Psych. Exam 3

Chapters 8, 9.3, 2.3, 2.6

Motivation

Factors that activate and sustain goal-oriented behavior. Inferred; not directly observed

Instinct theory

Behaviors driven by instincts. Innate patterns of responses specific to a particular species. (Out of favors for humans)

Drive theory

Behavior driven by biological needs that demand satisfaction (based on homeostasis)

Drive reduction

To satisfy a drive

Arousal theory

Biological need for exploration and activity; stimulus motives

Founder: Harry Harlow

Psychosocial needs

Intra- and inter- personal needs. Develops early on in life because of parents

Hierarchy of needs

1. Physiological

2. Safety

3. Love & belonging

4. Esteem

5. Self-actualization

Founder: Maslow

Body mass index (BMI)

How obesity can be determined

(weight in lbs/(height in inches²)) x703

• 3 in 4 Americans are overweight or obese

Causal factors of obesity

• Too many calories consumed with not enough exercise

• Ready access to high calorie food

• Portion sizes in restaurants have increased

• Food absorbed environmentt

• Social network factors

• Reduced demand for physical activity

• Genetics

Basal metabolic rate (BMR)

The rate your body burns calories while at rest

Set point theory

Suggests that body weight is regulated around a genetically predetermined set point. The brain may adjust BMR to keep the body weight at the set point.

Anorexia

Self starving resulting in being unhealthy and underweight. Mostly young women; 5-20% of cases result in death by suicide or starvation.

Bullimia

Repetitive pattern of binge eating followed by purging (throwing up)

Emotions

Feeling states.

3 basic components:

1. Physiological

2. Cognitive

3. Behavioral

Universal Emotions

1. Anger

2. Fear

3. Disgust

4. Sadness

5. Happiness

6. Surprise

Researched by: Paul Ekman

Culture and emotion

• Cultural differences associated with non-verbal accents

• Cultural differences in how accurately emotions are recognized

Display rules

Social norms govern the display of emotional expressions

Happiness

A focus of positive psychology

Founder: Martin Seligman

Facial-feedback hypothesis

Mimicking facial movements associated with a particular emotion will produce that corresponding emotional state

Duchenne smiles

Genuine smiles. Different than the “social smile”

Emotional intelligence

1. Knowing your emotions

2. Managing your emotions

3. Motivating yourself

4. Recognizing others emotions

5. Helping others handle their emotions

Polygraph

Used to suggest if someone’s lying

Developmental psychology

Branch of psychology that explores how humans change over their life span

Temperament

The characteristic style of behavior someone innately has

Easy children

Playful, respond positively to new stimuli, quick to adapt to a schedule, 40% of children in study

Difficult children

Reacts negatively to new situations and people, irritable dispositions, difficulty adapting to schedules, 10% of children in study

Slow-to-warm-up children

Require more time to warm up to situations and schedules than most other children, low activity levels, 15% of children in study

Attachment

The emotional bond that infants and children form with their caregivers. Used “stranger situation” method.

Researched by: Mary Ainsworth

Secure type

Uses mom as a secure base for exploring. Might cry when mom leaves, but is happy when she returns. 65-70% of samples

Insecure-avoidant type

Separated easily from mom to explore (independant). Ignores mom when she returns

Insecure-resistant type

Reluctant to explore. High distress when mom leaves and comes back. 10% of samples

Disorganized/disoriented

Unusual reactions

Strange situations

Observes how infants react to separation and reunions with caregivers. It may not be appropriate for certain cultures.

Imprinting

The formation of a strong bond between a newborn animal to the first moving object seen after birth

Founder: Konrad Lorenz

Parenting styles

Researched by: Dianna Baurnrind

1. Authoritative

2. Authoritarian

3. Permissive

Jean Piaget

Studied childrens cognitive development. There are 4 stages of cognitive development

Sensorimotor stage

From birth to 2 years old. Children use their senses and newly developed motor skills to explore. Development of object permanence.

Object permanence

Recognition that objects continue to exist even if not in sight

Preoperational stage

2-7 years old. Time when a child lacks the ability to perform logical operations, limited by egocentrism. Lack of conservation

Conservation

The recognition that the amount of something doesn’t change when its appearance changes

Conrete operational stage

7-11 years old. Becomes able to perform simple logical operations tied to concrete problems. Can demonstrate conservation and is capable of decentered thinking.

Formal observational stage

Around puberty, 11-12 years old. Piaget believed this is the stage of full cognitive ability.