Psy100

Motivation

The moving force that energizes behavior, influenced by biological and psychosocial needs.

Hypothalamus

A brain region regulating eating by responding to nutrient levels in the body.

Sexual Motivation

The drive for sexual activity influenced by hormones, pheromones, and environmental cues.

Evolutionary Analysis of Human Sexual Behavior

Exploration of parental investment, sexual activity patterns, mate preferences, and jealousy.

Sexual Orientation

The direction of attraction towards a sexual partner, such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.

Affiliation Motives

The need to associate with others, driven by evolutionary factors related to safety and companionship.

Need for Achievement

A desire to succeed and avoid failure, often associated with selecting moderately difficult tasks and working persistently.

Neuropsychology of Emotion

Study of the brain's role in emotional responses, including the amygdala and limbic system.

James-Lange Theory

Theory proposing that physiological arousal occurs first, followed by interpretation as emotion.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Theory that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously and independently.

Cognitive Perspectives on Emotion

The view that cognitive appraisal is essential for experiencing emotions, as shown in the Schachter-Singer study.

Schachter-Singer Theory of Emotion

Theory that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

Happiness

An emotional state characterized by a positive valence, varying by cultural context and unrelated to gender, age, or wealth.

Gender

The social and psychological aspects of being male or female, distinct from biological sex.

Gonads

Endocrine glands that produce sex hormones and generate reproductive cells (ova in females, sperm in males).

Transgender

The experience of one's psychological gender differing from their biological sex, often associated with gender dysphoria.

Psychosexual Stages (Freud)

Stages of development in Freud's theory where personality is shaped by conflicts at each psychosexual stage.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious processes that protect a person from anxiety, including repression, denial, and projection.

Projective Tests

Assessment tools like the Rorschach Inkblot test that reveal a person's impulses and desires through vague stimuli.

B.F. Skinner's Radical Behaviorism

The view that personality consists of behavior patterns shaped by the environment, ignoring inner mental states.

Social Learning Theory

Theory by Bandura emphasizing learning through observation and the importance of consequences in behavior.

Reciprocal Determinism

The concept that personality is influenced by the interaction of behavior, cognition, and environment.

Rational Emotive Therapy

Ellis's therapy that focuses on rationality in achieving goals while addressing irrational thoughts.

Humanistic Personality Theories

Approaches that emphasize personal growth and self-actualization, contrasting behavioral and psychodynamic theories.

The Big Five Factors of Personality

Personality traits represented by Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN).

How do leptin and the hypothalamus regulate eating behavior?

Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, communicates with the hypothalamus to regulate appetite and energy balance. The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) promotes satiety and reduces food intake when leptin levels are high, signaling the body is well-fed. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) stimulates hunger and increases food intake when leptin levels are low, signaling the body needs energy. Together, they help maintain energy balance by responding to changes in fat stores.

What is the Two-Factor Theory of Emotion?

The Two-Factor Theory of Emotion, proposed by Schachter and Singer, suggests that emotions are the result of two factors: physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal. First, a physical response (like a racing heart) occurs in response to a stimulus. Then, you interpret the arousal based on the context (e.g., "I’m excited" or "I’m scared"). This combination of arousal and interpretation produces the emotion you feel.

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The sympathetic division prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses, while the parasympathetic division promotes 'rest and digest' functions.

What is neuroticism?

Neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, and negative emotional responses. Individuals high in this may experience frequent feelings of worry, fear, or sadness.

what is conscientiousness?

a personality trait that reflects a person's degree of organization, dependability, and discipline. Individuals high in this tend to be responsible, goal-oriented, and reliable.

What is repression?

A defence mechanism in which unwanted thoughts and feelings are unconsciously blocked from awareness. It serves to protect the individual from anxiety and distress associated with those thoughts. Ex: Being abused as a child and then as an adult not being able to remember the traumatic experience.

What is rationalization?

A defense mechanism where individuals justify their behaviours or feelings by providing logical reasons, avoiding the true emotional reasons behind them. This helps to reduce anxiety and maintain self-esteem. Ex; a student blames poor grades on the teacher's unfairness instead of their lack of studying.

What is displacement?

A defence mechanism that involves redirecting emotions or impulses from a threatening target to a safer one. For example, a person who is frustrated with their boss may take out their anger on a family member instead.

What is sublimation?

A defence mechanism that involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities. For example, an individual with aggressive tendencies may take up a sport to express their aggression in a constructive way.

What is projection?

A defence mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else. For example, a person who is angry may accuse others of being hostile.

What is reaction formation?

A defence mechanism that involves transforming an unacceptable impulse into its opposite. For example, a person who feels angry may express exaggerated kindness towards the person they are angry with.

What is denial?

A defence mechanism where an individual refuses to accept reality or facts, effectively blocking external events from awareness. For example, a person who is addicted to alcohol may deny their drinking problem.

What is regression?

A defence mechanism involving the reversion to an earlier stage of development or behaviour in response to stress or anxiety. For example, an adult may throw a tantrum when faced with frustration.