Psych

Instinct Theory

Behaviors driven by innate biological instincts.

Drive-Reduction Theory

Biological needs create drives to reduce them.

Homeostasis

Stable internal state maintained by biological drives.

Arousal Theory

People seek optimal arousal levels for motivation.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Performance increases with arousal, then decreases.

Sensation Seeking Theory

Individuals vary in need for complex experiences.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation from internal factors like personal satisfaction.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation from external rewards like money.

Incentive Theory

External stimuli motivate behaviors through rewards.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Discomfort from conflicting thoughts leads to resolution.

Classical Block Experiment

Study showing cognitive dissonance alters beliefs.

Approach-Approach Conflict

Choosing between two desirable options.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

Choosing between two undesirable options.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

One option has both positive and negative aspects.

Multiple Approach-Avoidance Conflict

Multiple options with pros and cons exist.

Ghrelin

Hormone that stimulates hunger.

Leptin

Hormone that suppresses hunger.

Insulin

Regulates blood sugar and appetite.

Orexin

Hormone that increases appetite.

PYY

Hormone that signals fullness.

Environmental Influences on Hunger

Food availability and cultural factors affect hunger.

Memory Influences on Hunger

Past meal timing affects future food intake.

External Factors Influencing Hunger

Sight, smell, stress, and social settings impact hunger.

Broaden-and-Build Theory

Positive emotions: Expand thinking, creativity, and resilience. Negative emotions: Narrow focus, prepare for immediate threats.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Emotion and physiological response occur in parallel.

Display rules

Social norms governing how emotions are expressed.

Distress

Negative stress that harms well-being.

Emotion

A complex psychological state involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Managing emotional response (e.g., journaling, meditation).

Eustress

Positive stress that enhances motivation and performance.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Facial expressions influence emotions (e.g., smiling makes you feel happier).

Factors that increase well-being

Gratitude, social connections, purpose, optimism, mindfulness, exercise.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Stages: Alarm: Immediate reaction; fight-or-flight response. Resistance: Body adapts but remains alert. Exhaustion: Resources depleted; illness risk increases.

Health psychology

The study of how psychological factors affect physical health and well-being.

James-Lange Theory

Emotion is a linear process (stimulus → physiological response → emotion).

Lazarus' Cognitive Appraisal Theory

Emotion depends on how a situation is interpreted.

Physical effects of stress

Weakened immune system, high blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, digestive issues.

Polygraphs

They measure physiological responses (heart rate, sweat) that can be caused by stress, anxiety, or deception—but not exclusively by lying.

Positive psychology

Study of strengths and virtues that help people thrive.

Posttraumatic Growth

Positive psychological changes after trauma.

Problem-Focused Coping

Tackling the stressor directly (e.g., making a study plan for a big exam).

Quick pathway (LeDoux's theory)

Thalamus → Amygdala → Immediate response (fast but less accurate).

Schachter-Singer (Two-Factor) Theory

Added cognitive labeling to explain why similar physiological responses can lead to different emotions.

Six signature strengths

Wisdom - Creativity (e.g., solving problems uniquely). Courage - Bravery (e.g., speaking up for what's right). Humanity - Kindness (e.g., helping a stranger). Justice - Fairness (e.g., treating others equally). Temperance - Self-control (e.g., resisting impulsive decisions). Transcendence - Gratitude (e.g., appreciating life's positives).

Six universal emotions

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

Slower pathway

Thalamus → Cortex → Processed emotional response (accurate but slower).

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

Women respond to stress by nurturing (tend) and seeking social support (befriend).