Psychology Motivation Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Which theory posits that a physiological reaction leads to the labeling of an emotion?

Cognitive Arousal theory

Common-sense theory of emotion

James-Lange theory of emotion (correct)

Cannon-Bard theory of emotion

What is the role of the amygdala in the processing of emotional stimuli?

It solely relies on the slow cortical pathway for emotional responses.

It is the sole area responsible for all emotions.

It connects directly to the autonomic nervous system.

It receives emotional stimuli through both subcortical and cortical pathways. (correct)

According to the cognitive-mediational theory, what must occur before an emotional reaction is experienced?

A conscious awareness of the physiological state.

A universal facial expression recognition.

An interpretation or appraisal of the stimulus. (correct)

An immediate physiological reaction.

Which statement best describes the facial feedback hypothesis?

Facial expressions provide feedback that intensifies the emotion being expressed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion?

It emphasizes that physiological and emotional responses occur simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What type of motivation involves performing an action for its own sake, such as for enjoyment or satisfaction?

Intrinsic motivation Signup and view all the answers

What theory assumes that behavior arises from physiological needs that create internal drives?

Drive-reduction theory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a primary drive?

Hunger Signup and view all the answers

Which need in McClelland's theory is primarily focused on control or influence over others?

Need for power Signup and view all the answers

What is the Yerkes-Dodson law primarily concerned with?

Degree of arousal and performance Signup and view all the answers

What role does the hypothalamus play in the regulation of hunger?

It monitors levels of glucose and hormones in the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a person's weight set point?

The weight that the body attempts to maintain Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the elements of emotion?

Specific physical arousal, behavior, and inner awareness of feelings Signup and view all the answers

What hormones control the levels of glucose in the bloodstream?

Insulin and glucagon Signup and view all the answers

Which type of approach explains behavior as a response to external stimuli that are perceived as rewarding?

Incentive approaches Signup and view all the answers

Sensation seekers are individuals who need what compared to the average person?

More arousal Signup and view all the answers

What is a peak experience in the context of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Temporary achievement of self-actualization Signup and view all the answers

Obesity can be influenced by which of the following biological factors?

Hormones and heredity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Motivation

Motivation is the process that initiates, directs, and sustains behavior to fulfill physical or psychological needs or wants.
Extrinsic motivation arises from external rewards or consequences.
Intrinsic motivation stems from internal factors like enjoyment, challenge, and satisfaction.

Instinct Approaches to Motivation

Instinct refers to innate, biologically determined patterns of behavior in both humans and animals.
Instinct approach to motivation suggests that people are guided by instincts similar to those observed in animals.

Drive-Reduction Theory of Motivation

Need is a requirement for survival, such as food or water.
Drive is a psychological tension and arousal resulting from a need, motivating the organism to act.
Drive-reduction theory posits that behavior aims to fulfill needs and reduce tension and arousal.
Primary drives involve basic physiological needs like hunger and thirst.
Acquired (secondary) drives are learned through experiences or conditioning, like the need for money or social approval.
Homeostasis refers to the body's tendency to maintain a steady state.

McClelland’s Theory - Three Types of Needs

Need for achievement (nAch): A strong desire to succeed in achieving goals, both realistic and challenging.
Need for affiliation (nAff): The need for friendly social interactions and relationships.
Need for power (nPow): The need to have control or influence over others.

Arousal Approach to Motivation

Stimulus motive is an unlearned motive that increases stimulation, driven by curiosity.
Arousal theory suggests individuals seek to maintain an optimal level of tension by increasing or decreasing stimulation.
Yerkes-Dodson law: Performance is related to arousal. Moderate levels lead to better performance compared to excessively low or high arousal.
Sensation seeker: An individual needing more arousal than the average person.

Incentive Approaches to Motivation

Incentives are factors that attract or lure people into action.
Incentive approaches explain behavior as a response to external stimuli and their rewarding properties.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self-actualization: Achieving full human potential after satisfying lower-level needs.
Peak experiences: Moments of temporary self-actualization in a person's life.

Hunger: Bodily Causes

Insulin and glucagon: Pancreatic hormones regulating blood glucose levels.
- Insulin lowers blood glucose levels.
- Glucagon increases blood glucose levels.
Hypothalamus: Plays a role in hunger, responding to glucose and insulin levels.
Leptin: A hormone signaling the hypothalamus that the body has had enough food, reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness.
Weight set point: The specific weight the body strives to maintain.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR): Energy expenditure at rest.

Cultural customs: Influence meal timings and food choices.
Food preferences: Vary across individuals and cultures.
Food as a comfort device: Using food as a coping mechanism for stress or unpleasant emotions.

Obesity

Obesity is a condition where body weight exceeds 20% above the ideal weight for height.
Biological causes of obesity: Heredity, hormones, and slowing metabolism with age.
Overeating: A significant factor in obesity, especially in developed countries with readily available food and Westernized lifestyles.

Elements of Emotion

Emotion is the feeling aspect of consciousness characterized by:
- Physical arousal: Physiological changes like heart rate or breathing.
- Behavioral expression: Outward expressions like facial expressions or body language.
- Inner awareness: Subjective experience of feelings.

The Amygdala and Emotion

The amygdala is a brain structure involved in processing emotional stimuli, particularly fear conditioning.
Emotional stimuli reach the amygdala via two pathways:
- Fast, crude “low road” (subcortical): Rapid, immediate response.
- Slower but more involved cortical “high road”: More detailed and complex processing.

Other Brain Regions Involved in Emotion

Hemispheres: Specific hemispheres may be more dominant in processing certain emotions.
Frontal lobes: Involved in higher-level emotional control and regulation.
Anterior cingulate cortex: Plays a role in emotional awareness and decision-making.
Lateral orbitofrontal cortex: Involved in processing reward and emotional value.

Facial Expressions and Emotion

Facial expressions: While they can vary across cultures, certain expressions appear universal.
Display rules: Cultural norms governing when and how emotions are expressed.

Labeling Emotion

Labeling emotion: Attributing a label or description to a subjective feeling.

Theories of Emotion

Common-sense theory of emotion: Stimulus leads to emotion, which then causes bodily arousal.
James-Lange theory of emotion: Physiological reaction leads to the labeling of an emotion.
Cannon-Bard theory of emotion: Physiological reaction and emotion occur simultaneously.
Cognitive arousal theory: Both physical arousal and labeling of arousal based on environmental cues must occur before an emotion is experienced.
Facial feedback hypothesis: Facial expressions provide feedback to the brain, influencing and intensifying the emotion being experienced.
Cognitive-mediational theory: An individual's interpretation of a stimulus triggers a physical response and emotional reaction.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of motivation in psychology, including intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the instinct approaches, and drive-reduction theory. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how various factors influence behavior and needs.