Motivation, Emotion, and Positive and Health Psychology

drive-reduction theory

the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need

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

A theory of motivation suggesting that people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of alertness and physical and mental activation.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

the principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases

Self-determination theory

Deci and Ryan's theory asserting that all humans have three basic, innate organismic needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy.

intrinsic motivation

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

extrinsic motivation

a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment

Incentive theory

A theory of motivation stating that behavior is directed toward attaining desirable stimuli and avoiding unwanted stimuli.

Instincts

innate tendencies that determine behavior

approach-approach conflict

conflict occurring when a person must choose between two desirable goals

approach-avoidance conflict

conflict occurring when a person must choose or not choose a goal that has both positive and negative aspects

avoidance-avoidance conflict

a choice must be made between two unattractive goals

sensation-seeking theory

A theory that proposes that one's level of need for varied or novel experiences is the basis of motivation

ghrelin

A hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach

Leptin

protein hormone secreted by fat cells; when abundant, causes brain to increase metabolism and decrease hunger

lateral hypothalamus

The part of the hypothalamus that produces hunger signals

ventromedial hypothalamus

The part of the hypothalamus that produces feelings of fullness as opposed to hunger, and causes one to stop eating.

Schacter-Singer theory

This theory points out that physiological arousal is the first component of the emotional response, but for cognitive appraisal one also takes into account situational cues.

cognitive label

Mental interpretation of events, and of physiological reactions to them, shapes emotional experiences.

facial feedback hypothesis

emotional expressions can enhance the emotional experiences they signify

broaden and build theory

positive emotions prompt people to consider novel opportunities and experiences

universal emotions

anger, disgust, sadness, happiness, surprise, fear,

display rules

guidelines for how and when to express emotions

microexpression

A brief and involuntary facial expression that shows a reaction to emotions a person is experiencing.

stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging

stressors

specific events or chronic pressures that place demands on a person or threaten the person's well-being

eustress

A positive stress that energizes a person and helps a person reach a goal

distress

negative stress

ACEs

Adverse Childhood Experiences that have been found to correlate with future health problems and maladaptive behaviors

General Adaptation Syndrome

Seyle's concept that the body responds to stress with alarm, resistance and exhaustion

Fight-flight-freeze response

an involuntary, physical response to a sudden and immediate threat (or stressor) in readiness for fight (confront), flight (escape) or freeze (avoid detection)

tend and befriend

under stress, people (especially women) often provide support to others (tend) and bond with and seek support from others (befriend)

oxytocin

a hormone associated with love, social connection, and bonding

problem-focused coping

Attempting to alleviate stress directly by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor.

emotion-focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to one's stress reaction

positive psychology

the scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive

subjective well-being

self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with life.

Objective well-being

people's quality of life evaluated through physical and economic (measurable) indicators

Signature strength

Those character strengths that are most essential to who we are

Peterson and Seligman's virtues

wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence

Post-traumatic growth

positive psychological changes as a result of struggling with extremely challenging circumstances and life crises