Motivation Theories and Concepts

Motivation Theories & Concepts

• Motivation is the process initiating, directing, and sustaining goal-directed behavior.
• Drive-Reduction Theory posits physiological needs create a drive to satisfy the need and maintain homeostasis.
• Incentive Theory suggests external rewards or punishments (incentives) direct behavior.
• Arousal Theory states people are motivated to maintain an optimal arousal level.
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a pyramid of needs starting with physiological and progressing to self-actualization.
• Instincts are unlearned, biologically programmed behaviors.
• Physiological Needs are basic survival requirements like food, water, and shelter.
• Homeostasis is the body's tendency to maintain a balanced internal state.
• An Incentive is a positive or negative environmental stimulus motivating behavior.
• Yerkes-Dodson Law dictates moderate arousal leads to optimal performance.
• Affiliation Need is the human desire to form and maintain strong social bonds.
• Self-Determination Theory proposes people are motivated by autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
• Intrinsic Motivation involves engaging in behavior for its own sake.
• Extrinsic Motivation involves engaging in behavior for external rewards.
• Ostracism is social exclusion, leading to negative emotional and psychological effects.
• Achievement Motivation is the desire for significant accomplishment and mastery.
• Grit is passion and perseverance in pursuing long-term goals.

Biology of Hunger & Weight Regulation

• Glucose is blood sugar providing energy; low levels trigger hunger.
• Set Point is the body’s natural weight range regulated by metabolic rate and hunger.
• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the body's resting energy expenditure.
• Obesity is excess body fat increasing health risks, influenced by genetics, social and psychological factors.

Theories of Emotion

• James-Lange Theory suggests emotions arise from physiological arousal.
• Cannon-Bard Theory proposes emotion and physiological responses occur simultaneously.
• Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory states emotion relies on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling.

Biological & Psychological Aspects of Emotion

• The Sympathetic Nervous System activates physiological arousal.
• The Parasympathetic Nervous System calms the body post-arousal.
• A Polygraph measures physiological responses and is not always reliable.
• Facial Feedback Effect states facial expressions can influence emotions.
• Behavior Feedback Effect states acting a certain way can influence emotions.

Stress & Coping

• Stress is how we perceive and respond to challenging or threatening events.

Types of Conflict

• Approach-Approach Conflict involves choosing between two desirable options.
• Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict involves choosing between two unattractive options.
• Approach-Avoidance Conflict involves a single option with positive and negative aspects.

Stress Response Systems

• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) has 3 phases: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
• Alarm Phase is the initial reaction and activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
• Resistance Phase involves continued stress resistance with high arousal.
• Exhaustion Phase involves energy depletion and increased vulnerability to illness.
• Tend-and-Befriend Response involves providing support to others in stress (especially women).

Health Effects of Stress

• Stress increases the risk of Coronary Heart Disease.
• Type A Personality individuals are competitive, impatient, and aggressive.
• Type B Personality individuals are relaxed and easygoing.
• Catharsis involves releasing aggressive emotions (not always effective).

Coping Strategies

• Problem-Focused Coping involves directly addressing the stressor.
• Emotion-Focused Coping involves avoiding the stressor and attending to emotional needs.
• Personal Control is a sense of having control over one's environment.
• Learned Helplessness is passive resignation from repeated negative events.
• External Locus of Control is the belief outside forces control one’s fate.
• Internal Locus of Control is the belief one controls their own destiny.
• Self-Control is the ability to regulate impulses and delay gratification.

Positive Psychology & Well-Being

• Positive Psychology studies human flourishing, focusing on strengths and virtues.
• Subjective Well-Being is self-perceived happiness or life satisfaction.
• Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon states happiness increases prosocial behavior.
• Adaptation-Level Phenomenon involves adapting to new situations forming a new normal.
• Relative Deprivation involves feeling worse off when comparing oneself to others.
• Broaden-and-Build Theory suggests positive emotions expand thinking and improve well-being.
• Character Strengths & Virtues contribute to a fulfilling life.
• Resilience is the ability to cope with stress and adversity.

Stress Management & Well-Being

• Aerobic Exercise reduces stress and increases mood-boosting chemicals.
• Mindfulness Meditation improves focus, reduces stress, and increases emotional regulation.
• Gratitude improves mood and well-being.
• Faith Factor suggests religious involvement links to increased longevity and well-being.

Study Tips

• Mnemonic devices aid in remembering theories.
• Real-life examples connect concepts to personal experiences.
• Self-testing helps practice recall.
• Discussing with peers improves retention.

Standards & Explanations

• Motivation theories apply to behavior and mental processes by explaining why people engage in certain behaviors.
• Eating and belongingness needs motivate behavior and mental processes through hunger regulation and social connections.
• Emotion theories apply to behavior and mental processes by explaining emotional experiences.
• Social norms and experiences influence the expression of emotions through cultural expectations.
• Stress impacts behavior and mental processes based on the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).
• Reactions to stress include seeking support (tend-and-befriend) or fight-or-flight activation.
• Coping strategies influence well-being by either solving the stressor or managing emotions.
• Learned helplessness can occur when someone feels they have no control over stressors.
• Reducing stress and increasing resilience can be achieved through exercise, meditation, gratitude, and faith.