Psyc_Ch_10

10.1 Motivation

Learning Objectives

• Define intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

• Explore theories of motivation: instincts, drive reduction, self-efficacy, and social motives

• Explain Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Motivation Basics

• Motivation refers to the wants or needs that direct behavior toward a goal.

• Types of motivation:

  • Intrinsic Motivation: Arises from internal factors; driven by personal satisfaction.

  • Extrinsic Motivation: Arises from external factors; driven by rewards or pressures from others.

Example of Motivation in Education

• Students may seek education for intrinsic reasons (love of learning) or extrinsic reasons (job security).

• The mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations can shift over time.

Overjustification Effect

• Engaging in activities for extrinsic rewards can diminish intrinsic motivation.

  • Example: Odessa loved baking but lost motivation when it became her job.

Factors Influencing Intrinsic Motivation

• Verbal praise can enhance intrinsic motivation compared to tangible rewards (like money).

• The expectation of rewards can reduce intrinsic motivation.

• Cultural Influence: Collectivistic cultures often prioritize group over individual satisfaction.

Application in Education Settings

• Intrinsic motivation improves in environments that encourage belonging and collaboration (e.g., open discussions).

• Case Study: Students in a supportive classroom may feel more intrinsically motivated compared to those in a high-pressure setting.

10.1.1 Theories About Motivation

Instinct Theory

• Proposed by William James, suggesting that behaviors are driven by instincts (innate patterns aiding survival).

Drive Theory

• Homeostasis is crucial; physiological needs create psychological drive states (e.g., hunger triggering eating).

• Habits develop from repeated behaviors that satisfy needs.

Arousal Theory

• Optimal arousal levels influence motivation.

  • Low arousal leads to boredom; high arousal causes stress.

  • Yerkes-Dodson Law: Optimal performance at moderate arousal levels.

Self-Efficacy and Social Motives

• Self-efficacy: Belief in one's abilities motivates behavior; affects goal setting and persistence.

• Social Motives:

  • Needs for achievement, affiliation, and intimacy.

  • Achievements can be classified into various social needs categories by theorists such as Henry Murray.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• Needs arranged in a pyramid:

  • Physiological Needs (base, for survival)

  • Safety Needs

  • Love/Belonging Needs

  • Esteem Needs

  • Self-Actualization (top, realization of potential)

• Lower needs must be satisfied before addressing higher needs.

10.2 Hunger and Eating

Learning Objectives

• Describe regulation of hunger and eating

• Differentiation between overweight and obesity

• Explain health consequences linked to eating disorders

Physiological Mechanisms

• Empty stomach contracts, signaling hunger.

• Blood glucose levels affect hunger signals sent by pancreas and liver.

• Satiation occurs when blood sugar rises, and leptin (satiety hormone) is released by fat cells.

Body Weight Regulation

• Factors influencing weight: caloric intake vs. expenditure, metabolic rate, genetic predispositions.

• Set-point theory: Individuals resist deviating from a genetically predetermined ideal body weight.

Obesity

• Defined as weighing more than healthy for height; associated with increased health risks (heart disease, diabetes, etc.)

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia nervosa: starvation and/or excessive exercise to maintain low weight.

• Bulimia nervosa: binge-eating followed by purging.

• Binge eating disorder: recurrent binge-eating without compensatory behavior.

10.3 Sexual Behavior

Learning Objectives

• Understand biological mechanisms of sexual behavior

• Appreciate Alfred Kinsey’s and Masters & Johnson’s research

• Define sexual orientation and gender identity

Physiological Mechanisms

• Hypothalamus: pivotal in regulating sexual behavior.

• Animal studies show sexual motivation distinct from the ability to engage in sexual activity.

Kinsey’s Research

• Large-scale surveys revealing diversity in sexual behaviors; challenged societal assumptions about sexuality.

Masters & Johnson’s Sexual Response Cycle

• Phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution; documenting physiological responses.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

• Clarification between sexual orientation (attraction to others) and gender identity (self-perception of gender).

10.4 Emotion

Learning Objectives

• Explain major theories of emotion

• Understand limbic structures' roles in emotion

• Recognize the expression and recognition of emotion

Theories of Emotion

• James-Lange Theory: Emotions arise after physiological arousal.

• Cannon-Bard Theory: Emotion and physiological response occur simultaneously.

• Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory: Emotion depends on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling.

The Limbic System

• Composed of structures involved in emotional processing (hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus).

Emotional Expression Across Cultures

• Cultural display rules influence how emotions are expressed.

• Seven universal emotions correspond to distinct facial expressions.

Emotion Regulation

• Importance of recognizing and managing emotions to improve psychological health.

Key Terms

• Anorexia nervosa: eating disorder with extreme weight loss.

• Bulimia nervosa: binging followed by compensatory behavior.

• Drive theory: physiological needs create psychological drives.

• James-Lange theory: emotions arise from physiological responses.

• Set-point theory: ideal body weight is genetically predisposed.