Psychology Motivation Theories

Motivation

Motivation is the force that initiates, guides, and sustains goal-oriented behavior.
Drive-Reduction Theory
- Needs: Basic requirements for survival (e.g., food, water, shelter)
- Drives: Internal states of tension that arise from imbalances in our needs (e.g., hunger, thirst).
- Drive Reduction: The process of satisfying a drive by eliminating the tension.
- Homeostasis: The body´s natural tendency to maintain a balanced internal state.
Incentives: External stimuli that motivate goal-directed behavior (e.g., rewards, money, praise).
Arousal Theory: Suggests that we are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal.
- Arousal: Level of alertness and activation.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: A pyramid of needs where lower-level needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs become relevant.
- Basic (Lowest Level): Physiological needs (e.g., food, water, sleep).
- Highest Level: Self-actualization (fulfilling one's potential).
Physiological Effects of Hunger:
- Increased stomach contractions
- Decrease in blood sugar levels
- Release of hormones like ghrelin (hunger hormone)
- Activation of brain regions involved in food seeking.
Ostracism: Being excluded or ignored by others, can lead to psychological distress and even physical pain.
James-Lange Theory of Emotion: We experience physiological arousal first, followed by the emotional interpretation of the experience.
Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion: Physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously.
Two-factor Theory of Emotion: Physiological arousal followed by cognitive appraisal (labeling the emotion) leads to the emotional experience.
The Spillover Effect: Our emotional responses can be affected by the emotions of those around us.
Facial Expressions of Emotions Around the World: There are some universally recognized facial expressions for basic emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger), but cultural nuances can influence how these expressions are interpreted.
The Facial Feedback Effect: The physical act of making a facial expression can trigger a corresponding emotion.

Pessimism

Pessimism: A tendency to focus on negative aspects and expect negative outcomes.
Personality: A person's unique and relatively stable pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Freud's Unconscious Mind: A reservoir of thoughts, feelings, and memories below the level of conscious awareness.
Accessing the Unconscious: The unconscious can be accessed through dreams, slips of the tongue, and free association.
Dreams represent unconscious desires and conflicts.
Free Association: A technique where a person relaxes and freely speaks about anything that comes to mind.
Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory:
- ID: The impulsive, primal part of the personality driven by pleasure.
- EGO: The mediator between the ID and Superego, strives for balance and reality.
- SUPEREGO: The internalized moral compass, represents societal rules and values.
Defense Mechanisms: Unconscious strategies that protect us from anxiety and stress.
- Projection: Attributing our own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others.
- Displacement: Directing emotions towards a less threatening object or person.
Rorschach Inkblots Test: Uses ambiguous images to reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Personality

Eysenck Personality Scale: Measures two primary dimensions: Introversion-Extroversion and Neuroticism-Stability.
Introversion: A tendency to be reserved, solitary, and prefer quiet and intellectual pursuits.
Extroversion: Characterized by outgoingness, sociability, and a desire for excitement and stimulation.
The Big Five Personality Traits (C.A.N.O.E.):
- Conscientiousness: Organized, responsible, and goal-oriented.
- Agreeableness: Cooperative, trusting, and empathetic.
- Neuroticism: Prone to negative emotions like anxiety and worry.
- Openness to Experience: Curious, imaginative, and open-minded.
- Extraversion: Energetic, assertive, and enthusiastic.

Stress

Stress: A state of mental and physical strain caused by challenging situations.
Stress Reaction: The body's physiological and psychological response to stress.
Stress Appraisal: An individual's interpretation of a situation and its potential impact on their well-being.
Stress Management Techniques:
- Exercise (e.g., aerobic exercise).
- Relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, deep breathing).
- Social support and relationships.
- Mindfulness practices.
- Time management skills.
Benefits of Aerobic Exercise: Releases endorphins (natural mood boosters), reduces anxiety, and improves sleep quality.
Optimism: A positive outlook on life, reduces the impact of stress by promoting resilience and coping mechanisms.