AP Psych Motivations, Emotions, and Personality

Instinct Theory

all organisms are born with innate biological tendencies that help them survive

Drive-Reduction Theory

behavior is motivated by the need to reduce internal drives aiming to restore homeostasis

Arousal Theory

individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of alertness, seeking to increase alertness when it is too low and decrease it when it is too high, to enhance performance and well-being

Yerkes-Dodson Law

performance improves with arousal up to a point, but then decreases if arousal becomes too high

Self-determination theory

people are motivated by intrinsic or extrinsic motivations

Sensation-seeking theory

one's level of need for varied or novel experiences is the basis of motivation

Approach-approach

good and good choice

Avoidance-avoidance

both bad

Approach-avoidance

one good one bad

James-Lange Theory

physiological activity comes before the emotional experience

Cannon-Bard Theory

Suggests that the physical and psychological experience of emotion happen at the same time and that one does not cause the other

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

physiological arousal occurs first, and then the individual must identify the reason for this arousal to experience and label it as an emotion

Lazarus’ Cognitive Appraisal Theory

emotional response to a situation is determined by our cognitive interpretation of that situation

Carl Roger’s Self Theory

Emphasize the importance refers to the collection of beliefs and perceptions a person holds about themselves which develops in response to life experiences