my notes

8.1

  • instincts: innate, fixed patterns of behavior in animals that are triggered by specific stimuli, driving them to act in predictable ways

    • humans dont typically exhibit instinctual behavior

    • evolutionary perspective

  • drive-reduction theory: behavior is motivated by the need to reduce internal drives caused by psychological deficits, such as hunger or thirst, aiming to restore homeostasis

    • if you are thirsty, you are driven to drink water to reduce your thirst

    • biological perspective

  • belongingness: the innate human desire to form and sustain close, meaningful relationships, which significantly drives behavior and effects emotional health

    • sociocultural perspective

  • arousal theory: individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of alertness, seeking to increase alertness when it is too low and decrease when it is too high, to enhance performance and well-being

    • biological perspective

  • yerkes-dodson law: performance increases w/ physiological or mental arousal (alertness) but only up to a point; when levels of arousal become too high, performance decreases

    • individuals perform best when they are at an optimal level of arousal

Yerkes-Dodson Law - The Pathfinder

  • sensation-seeking theory: proposes that one’s motivation is driven by the need for varied, novel, and intense experiences

    • ex: uncle john wanting to go sky-skiing

  • thrill-seeking: a component of sensation-seeking theory, where individuals are motivated by the desire for intense and exciting experiences, often involving risk

    • dangerous stuff

  • adventure seeking: a component of sensation-seeking theory where individuals seek challenging adventures

    • challenging, outdoorsy stuff

  • disinhibition: refers to the tendency to seek out social and experimental thrills by engaging in behaviors that are typically restrained by social norms and inhibitions

  • incentive-theory: behavior is motivated by the desire for external rewards or incentives, which can include money, praise, or other tangible benefits

  • self-determination theory: people are motivated by intrinsic (internal) motivations such as personal growth and fulfillment, or extrinsic (external) motivations, such as rewards and recognition

  • intrinsic motivation: refers to engaging in activities for their own sake, driven by internal rewards such as personal satisfaction, enjoyment, or a sense of achievement

  • extrinsic motivation: engaging in behavior due to external rewards or pressures, such as money, grades, or approval from others

  • lewin’s motivational conflicts theory: describes the psychological struggles individuals face when making decisions

  • approach-approach conflicts: when someone must choose between 2 desirable options, leading to a conflict of which positive outcome to pursue

  • avoidance-avoidance conflicts: when someone must choose between 2 undesirable options, leading to a conflict of which negative outcome to avoid

  • approach-avoidance conflict: when someone is drawn to and repelled from the SAME option, leading to a conflict between the desire for a positive outcome and the fear of a negative outcome