Psyc Ch10lecture recording on 24 October 2024 at 09.45.42 AM
Physiological Arousal and Motivation
Basic Concept
Increasing stimulation in boring tasks (e.g., cleaning) to enhance physiological arousal.
Examples: Listening to music or having TV in the background to stay motivated during menial tasks.
Motivation Theories
Drive Theory of Motivation
Explains motivation via biological needs (e.g., hunger).
James's Instinctual Theory
Focuses on innate behaviors motivating actions.
Self-Efficacy Theory
Definition: Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations.
Key Proponent: Albert Bandura
Importance: Higher self-efficacy leads to increased motivation; lower self-efficacy leads to avoidance of tasks.
Social Motives
**Categories: **
Need for Achievement: Desire for accomplishment and performance.
Need for Affiliation: Pursuing positive interactions with others.
Need for Intimacy: Seeking deeper connections with others.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Concept Overview:
Lower-level needs (e.g., physiological) must be met before higher-level needs (e.g., belonging, self-esteem).
Critique: Some individuals can prioritize higher needs over basic physiological needs (e.g., during hunger strikes).
Emphasis: Recognizing multiple perspectives helps understand varying motivations.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Definitions
Sexual Orientation: Emotional, romantic, or erotic attraction to others.
Common Types:
Heterosexuality: Attraction to opposite gender.
Homosexuality: Attraction to same gender (estimated 3-10% adult population).
Bisexuality: Attraction to both genders.
Asexuality: Lack of sexual attraction to others.
Queer: Umbrella term for diverse sexual identities.
Questioning: Exploring one's sexual or gender identity.
Nature vs. Nurture in Sexual Orientation
Historical view favored nurture, but research supports a biological basis.
Genetics contribute to variability in sexual behavior (up to 50%).
Conversion therapies are condemned; evidence shows sexual orientation is not a choice.
Gender Identity
Definition: A person’s internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither.
Cisgender: Identification with assigned gender.
Transgender: Identification with a gender different from the assigned gender.
Intersex: Combination of male and female biological traits.
Gender Dysphoria
Experienced by some individuals who identify differently from their assigned gender.
Not all transgender individuals experience dysphoria.
Emotions: Definitions and Theories
Emotion vs. Mood
Emotion: Intense subjective response experienced.
Mood: Long-term affective state, not always consciously recognized.
Components of Emotion
Physiological arousal: Bodily reaction.
Psychological appraisal: Cognitive interpretation of the situation.
Subjective experience: How one feels.
Theories of Emotion
James-Lange Theory: Emotions follow bodily responses (e.g., heart racing leads to naming the emotion).
Cannon-Bard Theory: Emotions and physical reactions occur simultaneously.
Facial Feedback Hypothesis: Facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.
Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory: Combines physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation as emotion factors.
Lazarus' Cognitive Mediational Theory: Cognitive appraisal shapes physiological reaction and emotional response.
Biological Bases of Emotion
The Limbic System Components
Hypothalamus: Hormonal regulation and activation of physiological responses.
Thalamus: Filters sensory input and directs perception.
Amygdala: Critical for fear, anxiety, emotional processing, and classical conditioning.
Hippocampus: Links emotions to memories, affected in conditions like PTSD.
Cultural Impact on Emotional Expression
Cultural Display Rules: Guidelines for appropriate emotional expression vary across cultures.
Universality of Emotions: Basic emotions perceived similarly across various cultures; some expressions may vary.
Paul Ekman’s Research: Helps establish that some emotional expressions are universally recognized, even among individuals born blind.