Psychology Theories of Motivation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of drive reduction theory?

To stimulate instinctive behaviors based on evolutionary past.

To increase arousal levels above optimal conditions.

To analyze the motivations for aggressive behaviors.

To maintain homeostasis within the body. (correct)

According to the Yerkes-Dodson law, performance is optimized under which conditions?

High levels of arousal.

Low levels of arousal.

Extreme stress conditions.

Moderate levels of arousal. (correct)

What does the term 'instinct' refer to in the context of motivation?

A biological pattern of behavior that is unlearned. (correct)

A psychological state influenced by social factors.

A drive created by deprivation.

A learned behavior that varies among individuals.

Which of the following best describes 'motivation'?

The drive that influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What limits the applicability of species-specific instincts in human motivation according to evolutionary psychologists?

The absence of instincts beyond infancy. Signup and view all the answers

What typically initiates an instinctive behavior in humans?

A sign stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect best describes the role of motivation in everyday life?

It guides behavioral responses in varying situations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is likely influenced by evolutionary motivations?

Seeking reproductive advantages. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes sexual attractions that do not depend on the biological sex or gender of others?

Pansexual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the influence of parents on a child's sexual orientation?

Parents' sexual orientations do not predict a child's sexual orientation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of explicitly linking everyday goals to happiness?

It may result in poorer outcomes in the pursuit of happiness. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is one characteristic of asexual individuals?

They feel no sexual attraction to others. Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is NOT mentioned as enhancing positive affect?

Participating in social media discussions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest level in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Self-actualization Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic describes goals that optimize happiness payoffs?

They should reflect personal values and needs. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of sexual orientation is noted as a common scientific consensus?

Marriage equality supports the well-being of individuals and their children. Signup and view all the answers

How is sexual orientation characterized based on the information provided?

It may be fluid over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a recommended technique for positive self-reflection?

Keeping a gratitude journal. Signup and view all the answers

What can influence the nature and priority of personal goals over time?

Life experiences and changes. Signup and view all the answers

Which need in Maslow's Hierarchy focuses on the importance of security and protection?

Safety Signup and view all the answers

What potential influence do genes have on sexual orientation?

They play a role, but not as strongly as for other characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the ventromedial hypothalamus play in hunger regulation?

It reduces hunger and restricts eating. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is partly responsible for the satiating effect of CCK?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in determining an individual's set point in weight management?

Amount of stored fat in the body Signup and view all the answers

How do social contexts influence eating habits?

They can affect when and how much we eat. Signup and view all the answers

Which hormones are classified as estrogens and are predominant in females?

Estrogens produced by ovaries Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of sexual response was characterized by Masters and Johnson's research?

The sequence of physiological changes during sexual activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in relation to sex motivation?

It connects sexual motivation to emotional processing in the brain. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about androgens is true?

Testosterone is the main androgen produced by both sexes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary premise of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Physiological needs must be satisfied before higher needs. Signup and view all the answers

According to Self-Determination Theory, which of the following is NOT a basic, innate need?

Acceptance Signup and view all the answers

Which type of motivation, intrinsic or extrinsic, is typically linked to improved performance and creativity?

Intrinsic motivation Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of self-regulation in achieving goals?

Monitoring progress and planning Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes intrinsic motivation?

It arises from internal factors and personal growth. Signup and view all the answers

How does progress on goals related to self-determination theory influence well-being?

It is strongly related to well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of emotions based on the provided content?

They can include physiological arousal and conscious experience. Signup and view all the answers

What factors contribute to successful self-regulation in goal pursuit?

Specific and moderately challenging goals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theories of Motivation

Motivation is the force that drives people to behave, think, and feel in specific ways.
Motivated behavior is energized, directed, and sustained.
Early psychologists emphasized the role of instincts in motivation.
Instinct is an innate, unlearned biological pattern of behavior assumed to be universal within a species.
Evolutionary psychologists argue motivations for sex, aggression, achievement, and other behaviors are rooted in our evolutionary past.
Drive reduction theory states that as a drive becomes stronger, we are motivated to reduce it.
A need is a deprivation that energizes the drive to eliminate or reduce the deprivation.
A drive is an aroused state that occurs because of a physiological need.
Homeostasis is the body's tendency to maintain equilibrium or a steady state.
Optimal arousal theory suggests that motivation influences arousal levels.
The Yerkes-Dodson law states that performance is best under moderate levels of arousal, rather than low or high arousal.

Hunger

The ventromedial (inner) hypothalamus helps reduce hunger and restrict eating.
Neurotransmitters and neural circuits play a role in hunger.
Serotonin contributes to the satiating effect of CCK, and serotonin agonists have been used to treat obesity.

Obesity

Biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors interact in various ways in eating and overeating.
Obesity has a genetic component.
Set point refers to the weight an individual maintains when making no effort to gain or lose weight.
Set point is partly determined by the amount of stored fat in the body.
We eat for reasons beyond survival, and social context influences when and how much we eat.
Our taste preferences evolved when we needed a lot of calories to survive.
Subtle cues like plate size influence how much we eat.
Mindless eating is a significant factor in overeating.

Sex

Motivation for sex is centered in the hypothalamus.
Related brain functioning connects with areas of the limbic system and cerebral cortex.
The temporal lobes of the neocortex moderate and direct sexual arousal.
Neurotransmitters and sex hormones activate sexual feelings and behaviors.
The basic urge-reward-relief cycle is involved in sexual motivation.
Dopamine is released during orgasm, followed by oxytocin.
The endocrine system is deeply involved in sexual motivation.
Estrogens are the class of sex hormones that predominates in females, primarily produced by the ovaries.
Androgens, such as testosterone, are the class of sex hormones that predominates in males, produced by the testes in males and adrenal glands in both sexes.
The human sexual response pattern, according to Masters and Johnson, is a characteristic sequence of physiological changes in sexual activity.
These stages include excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation is the direction of an individual's erotic interests.
It's viewed as a continuum, with categories including heterosexual, gay or lesbian, pansexual, and asexual.
A person's erotic attractions may be fluid.
Sexual orientations are viewed from an inclusive perspective, recognizing that all people have similar physiological responses during arousal.
Parents' sexual orientations and parenting styles do not predict a child's sexual orientation.
Any theory of sexual orientation must explain both heterosexuality and homosexuality.
Genes play a role in sexual orientation, but their influence is not as strong as for other characteristics.
A person's sexual orientation cannot be changed through persuasion or other external factors.
Sexual orientation is an integral part of a person's identity and sense of self.
Children raised by gay and lesbian parents tend to be as well-adjusted as those from heterosexual households.
The scientific consensus supports that marriage equality promotes the well-being of individuals, couples, and their children.

Motivation in Everyday Life

Psychologists recognize the importance of goals in human motivation.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy of needs that humans must satisfy sequentially.
These levels include physiological needs, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization.
Self-actualization is the motivation to develop one's full potential as a human being, considered the highest and most elusive need.

Self-Determination Theory

Self-determination theory asserts that all humans have three basic, innate, and organismic needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy.
These needs are not rooted in deficits but concern personal growth.
Research indicates that progress on goals that serve these needs is strongly associated with well-being.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation is based on internal factors like organismic needs, curiosity, challenge, and fun.
It often results in improved performance, persistence, creativity, and self-esteem.
Extrinsic motivation involves external incentives like rewards and punishments.
It is often negatively related to positive work outcomes.

Self-Regulation: The Successful Pursuit of Goals

Self-regulation is the process where an organism controls its behavior to achieve important objectives.
Effective self-regulation involves getting feedback on progress towards goals.
Achieving personal goals can be challenging.
Goal success is enhanced when goals are specific and moderately challenging.
Planning how to reach a goal and monitoring progress are crucial aspects of achievement.

Emotion

Emotion involves physiological arousal, conscious experience, and behavioral expression.

Happiness

The direct pursuit of happiness can be counterproductive.
Individuals who explicitly link their pursuit of everyday goals to happiness tend to fare poorly.

Happiness Activities and Goal Striving

Intentional activities can enhance positive affect.
Engaging in physical activity, expressing kindness, showing gratitude, being optimistic, minimizing dwelling on negative experiences, and engaging in positive self-reflection are beneficial.
Keeping a gratitude journal is a technique for positive self-reflection.
Behaving altruistically also boosts happiness.
To maximize the happiness payoffs, set goals that are important and personally valuable, reflect intrinsic needs, are moderately challenging, and have an instrumental relationship with each other.
Remember that goals can change and be changed by life experiences.

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Description

Explore the various theories of motivation that drive human behavior. This quiz covers concepts such as instincts, drive reduction theory, and optimal arousal. Test your understanding of how motivations are influenced by biological and evolutionary factors.