motivation and emotion

Sources of motivation

Reasons why we act (e.g., hunger, goals). Example: You exercise to stay healthy.

Instinct theory

Behavior comes from natural instincts. Example: A baby crying when hungry.

Drive reduction theory

We act to relieve internal tension from unmet needs. Example: You eat because you’re hungry.

Clark Hull

Psychologist who developed drive reduction theory.

Homeostasis

Body’s way of maintaining balance. Example: Sweating when you’re hot.

Need

Something essential for survival or well-being. Example: Water or friendship.

Drive

An urge that motivates behavior to meet a need. Example: Thirst drives you to drink.

Primary/secondary drives

Primary: Biological (food). Secondary: Learned (money). Example: You work for money to buy food.

Arousal theory (Yerkes-Dodson Law)

We perform best at moderate arousal. Example: A bit of stress helps you on a test, too much stress hurts.

Sensation-seeking (Zuckerman)

Some people crave excitement. Example: A person who loves roller coasters.

Incentive theory

We do things to get rewards. Example: Studying to win a prize.

Lewin’s motivational conflicts

• Approach-approach: Two good choices (cake or ice cream). • Avoidance-avoidance: Two bad options (homework or chores). • Approach-avoidance: One thing has pros and cons (cake tastes good, but has calories).

Hunger/eating

Eating behavior is influenced by biology and environment.

Ventromedial/lateral hypothalamus/paraventricular

Brain parts controlling hunger. Example: Damage to lateral = no hunger; ventromedial = never feel full.

Nucleus and hunger

Brain areas that regulate eating.

External factors that influence eating

Smell, sight, mood, or people around you. Example: You eat more at a party.

Obesity

Excess body fat from many factors—genetics, behavior, environment.

Set point vs. settling point

Set point: Body’s natural weight range. Settling point: Weight influenced by lifestyle. Example: Changing your diet can shift your settling point.

Achievement motivation

Desire to reach goals and succeed. Example: Wanting to get an A on your test.

Intrinsic motivation

Doing something because you enjoy it. Example: Reading for fun.

Extrinsic motivation

Doing something for a reward. Example: Reading to win a prize.

Belongingness need

Desire to feel connected to others. Example: Wanting to fit in with a group.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

We meet basic needs (food, safety) before higher goals (esteem, creativity).

3 components of emotion

• Physical (body reacts), • Cognitive (you think about it), • Behavioral (you act). Example: Nervous before a speech—you sweat, think 'I’m scared,' and shake.

6 basic emotions

Happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, disgust.

Feel-good do-good phenomenon

Being happy makes you more helpful. Example: You help someone after getting a good grade.

Broaden and Build theory

Positive emotions help us grow, learn, and connect.

Ekman’s research on facial expressions

Facial expressions are the same across all cultures. Example: Everyone smiles when happy.

Facial feedback hypothesis

Facial expressions affect how we feel. Example: Smiling can actually make you feel happier.

Display rules

Cultural rules for showing emotion. Example: Hiding sadness in public.