What are some examples of human behaviors that might be considered instinctual?
Human instinctual behaviors include newborn reflexes (like grasping), fear responses (like loud noises or heights), bonding between parents and children, facial expressions (like smiling and crying), the fight-or-flight response, imitation, language learning ability, and the need for social connection.
In Drive-Reduction Theory, what is meant by a “drive”? What about “homeostasis”?
In Drive-Reduction Theory, a “drive” is an internal state of tension or discomfort caused by an unmet biological need, such as hunger or thirst, that motivates a person to act. “Homeostasis” refers to the body’s tendency to maintain a stable and balanced internal state, so behaviors are motivated by the desire to reduce drives and restore balance.
How is the Arousal Theory different from Drive-Reduction Theory?
Arousal Theory focuses on seeking an optimal level of stimulation, while Drive-Reduction Theory focuses on reducing biological needs. Arousal explains thrill-seeking; drive-reduction explains behaviors like eating when hungry.
How does Maslow’s Hierarchy suggest we prioritize our goals?
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs suggests that people tend to prioritize basic needs before higher-level goals. According to the theory, physiological needs like food and sleep come first, followed by safety, love and belonging, esteem, and finally self-actualization, which involves reaching one’s full potential. The idea is that lower-level needs usually must be reasonably satisfied before a person focuses strongly on higher-level needs.
Give a real-life example of each level of Maslow’s hierarchy.
In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, physiological needs include food and sleep, safety needs include shelter and security, love and belonging involve friendships and family, esteem needs include confidence and respect, and self-actualization involves reaching personal goals and potential.
Why might Maslow's theory be criticized across different cultures?+ù
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs may be criticized across cultures because it reflects individualistic values, such as personal achievement and self-actualization, which may not be prioritized equally in all societies. In some cultures, community, family, or group needs may be considered more important than individual goals.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Intrinsic Motivation comes from internal enjoyment or personal satisfaction, while Extrinsic Motivation comes from external rewards or pressures, such as money, grades, or praise.
Which type of motivation do you think leads to more lasting change? Why?
Intrinsic Motivation usually leads to more lasting change because the behavior is driven by genuine interest, enjoyment, or personal meaning, so it continues even without external rewards. Extrinsic Motivation can be effective in the short term, but the behavior often stops when rewards or pressure are removed, since the motivation depends on outside factors rather than internal commitment.
What are the traits of someone with a high need for achievement?
A person with a high need for achievement sets challenging but realistic goals, prefers tasks with clear personal responsibility, seeks feedback, and is persistent. They are motivated by doing well and improving rather than just external rewards.
Why might low achievers choose tasks that are either very easy or very hard?
People with a low need for achievement may choose very easy tasks because they are almost guaranteed success, which helps them avoid failure and protect their self-esteem. They may also choose very hard tasks because failure can be blamed on the difficulty of the task rather than their ability, which also protects their self-image.
What role does the hypothalamus play in hunger?
The hypothalamus helps regulate hunger by monitoring the body’s energy needs and signaling when to eat or stop eating. Different parts work together: one area triggers hunger when energy is low, while another signals fullness after eating. It responds to hormones, blood sugar levels, and signals from the stomach to maintain balance.
What is the difference between set point theory and settling point theory?
Set point theory says the body has a fixed, biologically controlled weight it tries to maintain. Settling point theory says weight is flexible and depends on lifestyle and environment, so it can change over time.
What psychological and social cues can influence how much we eat?
Psychological cues like stress, mood, and distraction can increase or decrease how much we eat. Social cues such as eating with others, portion sizes, and cultural expectations also strongly influence eating behavior.
What are the symptoms of anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia Nervosa includes extreme food restriction, significant weight loss, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. It can also cause fatigue, dizziness, feeling cold, and in some cases, serious health problems.
How does bulimia differ from anorexia?
Bulimia Nervosa involves binge eating followed by purging and often normal weight. Anorexia Nervosa involves severe food restriction and very low body weight.
How might perfectionism be linked to the development of eating disorders?
Perfectionism can lead people to set unrealistically high standards for their body, weight, or eating habits, which increases stress and dissatisfaction. This pressure can contribute to restrictive eating or binge-purge behaviors as they try to “achieve” an ideal body image.
According to James-Lange theory, what comes first: the emotion or the physical response?
According to James-Lange Theory, the physical response comes first. The body reacts to a stimulus, and then the brain interprets those physical changes as an emotion.
How does Cannon-Bard theory explain simultaneous emotion and bodily reaction?
Cannon-Bard Theory says emotion and bodily reaction happen at the same time. A stimulus triggers the brain to send signals that produce both the emotional experience and the physical response simultaneously, rather than one causing the other.
What evidence supports the idea that emotions are biologically universal?
Evidence shows people across cultures recognize the same facial expressions, and even blind people show them, suggesting emotions are biologically universal. Similar brain activity patterns also support this idea.
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What are Paul Ekman’s universal emotions?
Paul Ekman identified six universal emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise.
How might facial expressions influence how we feel?
Facial expressions can shape emotions through the idea that acting a certain way can influence how we feel internally. For example, smiling may increase feelings of happiness, while frowning can intensify sadness. Body and facial feedback to the brain helps reinforce or even create emotional experiences.
Why is it important to recognize that emotions can be expressed differently across cultures?
Paul Ekman shows some emotions are universal, but recognizing cultural differences matters because people can display and interpret emotions in different ways across cultures. Misunderstanding these differences can lead to miscommunication or incorrect judgments about others’ feelings or intentions
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