Motivation
a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior
instinct theory
this theory on motivation states certain genes of species predispose them toward certain behaviors, like birds flying south. This theory doesn't apply to humans
evolutionary perspective
this theory has replaced instinct theory to explain human behavior as we don't have instincts but instead have adapted to traits that aid in the survival of our species
drive reduction theory
this theory states that a biological need creates an aroused state that motivates an organism to satisfy that need to maintain homeostasis
drive
biological needs like hunger, thirst, warmth
homeostasis
the steady internal state we are driven to maintain
incentive theory
this theory states that we are motivated by external reward
arousal theory
this theory states that every individual performs differently at various levels of arousal and that everyone needs to find optimal levels of arousal as is indicated in the Yerkes-Dodson curve
yerkes-dodson law
this is part of arousal theory and has been shown that both low and high levels of arousal produce minimum performance whereas a moderate level of arousal results in maximum performance in a task and is shown by an inverted u-shaped curve
yerkes-dodson curve
this inverted u-shaped object represents levles of arousal, with optimal arousal being at the center peak, which is considered "moderate
abraham maslow
this humanist psychologist created the hiearchy of needs
hierarchy of needs
this pyramid represent the steps humans must go through to reach self-actualization, or thier full potential
physiological needs
this is the most basic of Maslow's needs and involves basic biological needs
safety needs
this is the second level of Maslow's hiearchy that involves feeling secure
love
this is the third level of Maslow's hiearchy that includes feeling like you belong
esteem
this is the fourth level of Maslow's hiearchy of needs where you feel confident in yourself
self-actualization
this is the final level of Maslow's hiearchy of needs where you reach your full potential
instinct
this is defined as a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned
lateral hypothalamus
if this part of the hypothalamus is stimulated an animal is driven to eat, if destroyed the animal will not eat
ventromedial hypothalamus
if this part of the hypothalamus is stimulated an animal loses its sense of hunger, if destroyed the animal become very hungry
set point
this is our weight thermostat
basal metabolic rate
The rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to keep vital functions going
anorexia
this eating disoder occurs when a person is significantly underweight yet still feels fat and continues to starve themself
bulemia
this eating disorder is characterized by episodes of binge eating followd by purging
binge eating
this eating disorder is characterized by excessive bouts of overeating followed by feelings of guilt and shame
obestatin
this hormone creates the feeling of fullness
ghrelin
this hormone creates the feeling of hunger
fat cells
humans are born with a certain number of these, they can inflate and divide. However, when you lose weight, they can deflate, but never disappear
Masters and Johnson
These psychologists studied hundreds of men and women to establish the sexual response cycle
Alfred Kinsey
this psychologist founded the study of sexology
Affiliation Motive
this refers to our need to belong
Ostracism
this is when someone is socially isolated
Achievement
this is our need to do well. those with a high need for this seek moderately challenging tasks, those with a low need for this, choose very easy or very difficult tasks
Intrinsic motivation
this is an internal drive to do well
high need
people with this type of achievement motivation seek moderately challenging tasks as they feel failure from tasks that are too difficult
low need
people with this type of achievement motivation seek either easy or difficult challenges as they don't care if they succeed
overjustification effect
this happens when external rewards are used to often and become meaningless
avoidance-avoidance conflict
in this type of conflict scenario, we have to choose between two options that both seem negative
david mcclelland
this psychologist studied the need for achievement
self-efficacy
this is the extent to which we feel that we can succeed and do well at something
approach-approach conflict
in this type of conflict scenario, we have to choose between two options that both seem positive
Thematic apperception test
this is a form of psychoanalytic testing that David McClelland used to determine levels of achievement motivation
extrinsic motivation
this type of drive occurs when an external reward is offered
approach-avoidance conflict
in this type of conflict scenario we have to choose bewteen to options, one positive and one negative
James-Lange
this theory of emotion states that emotion results from first a stimulus, followed by a physiological response, which indicates an emotion
Cannon-Bard
this theory of emotion states that a stimulus triggers a physiological response AND emotional response simultaneously
Schacter-Singer
this theory of emotion states that COGNITION is key to what emotion we feel
Two factor theory
this theory states that their are two factors behind emotion, our physiological response AND our cognitive awareness of what is happening
spillover effect
this is the tendency that we have to pick up on the emotions of those around us
fear
this is the one emotion that we seem to process instantly, from an evolutionary perspective, it kept us alive
amygdala
this is the emotion processing center of our brains, that processes fear instantly
sympathetic nervous system
when we become afraid, this is the part of the central nervous system that is automatically activated
opponent-processing theory
this theory of emotion states that when one emotion is felt, like happiness, the opposite emotion of sadness is blocked. (it used to help explain drug addiction, like pleasure/withdrawal)
cognitive appraisal theory
this theory states that there is a two step cognitive process that we go through where we first identify what is happening, and then assess the situation to determine what emotional response we will have (like riding a roller coaster - first is fear, then
Paul Ekman
this psychologist spent his life studying emotions and facial expressions, which he determined are universal
Display Rules
these are cultural rules of emotion that determine when we can and can not show emotion
Facial feedback effect
this theory states that facial movement can influence emotion, like fake smiling can actually make us laugh
Aggression as catharsis
this theory states that acting out our aggressions can be therapeutic and help the reduce our frustrations and aggressions. It has been proven false
do good feel good theory
this theory states that behaviors of kindness can influence our happiness
adaptation-level phenomena
this is our tendency to form judgments relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experience. We are excited to receive a pay raise, but then adapt to that level of pay and the excitement disappears.
relative deprivation theory
this is a perceived disadvantage in social or economic standing based on a comparison to others in a society
Hans Selye
this psychologist created the theory of general adaptation syndrome (GAS) to explain what stress
General Adaptation Syndrome
this theory states that when stressed we experience, first alarm, then resistance, then exhaustion
Alarm
when stressed, this is the stage in which your sympathetic nervous system is activated
Resistance
when stress, this is the stage in which you are ready to fight
Exhaustion
when stressed for prolonged periods of time, the stress may deplete your bodies reserve of energy, and you enter this third stage
Type A
this type of person is competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger prone, often resulting in heart disease
Type B
this type of person is easy-going and relaxed
Optimist
this type of person views the world postively
Pessimist
this type of person views the world negatively
Cortisol
this is a stress hormone released when our sympathetic nervous system is activated