Understanding Motivation: Drives and Theories

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of homeostasis in the context of motivation?

The process of seeking out new and challenging experiences to promote personal growth.
The desire to maintain or increase levels of excitement and arousal.
The body's attempt to maintain a stable internal environment by adjusting to deviations from an optimal state. (correct)
The influence of prior experience and learning on our drives and motivations.

According to drive-reduction theory, what primarily motivates behavior?

The need to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs and restore equilibrium. (correct)
The maintenance or increase of excitement and arousal.
The influence of instincts, biologically determined patterns of behavior, on directing our actions.
The pursuit of personal growth and self-actualization.

Which of the following is an example of a primary drive?

The need for financial well-being.
The need for knowledge and understanding.
The drive for achievement and recognition.
The need for water to maintain hydration. (correct)

What is a key limitation of the drive-reduction approach to motivation?

It cannot explain behaviors in which the goal is to maintain or increase arousal, rather than reduce a drive. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an instinctual behavior?

A baby crying to signal their need for attention or care. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do secondary drives differ from primary drives?

Secondary drives are acquired through prior experience and learning, while primary drives are related to biological needs. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately contrasts instinct approaches with drive-reduction approaches to motivation?

Instinct approaches explain motivation through innate patterns, while drive-reduction approaches focus on reducing internal tension. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If someone donates to charity despite having limited financial resources, which motivational theory would have the most difficulty explaining this behavior?

Drive-reduction theory, because donating does not directly reduce a physiological need, and may even increase financial strain. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If someone consistently seeks out tasks that are either very easy or extremely difficult, what might this indicate about their approach to emotions and potential failure?

They are trying to avoid the negative emotional consequences associated with failure. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Given that emotions are intertwined with multiple factors such as motivation, cognition, and neuroscience, what is the most accurate conclusion about current emotional theories?

Contradictory evidence exists, challenging the accuracy of each approach. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do emotions primarily influence our interactions with others, according to the functions outlined?

By acting as a signal that helps others understand our experiences and predict our behavior. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Researchers often create hierarchies to categorize emotions. What challenge do Dr. Susan David and Dr. Brené Brown's findings pose to this approach?

Their work challenges these hierarchies and distinctions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When compiling a basic list of emotions, which of the following is a primary challenge that researchers encounter?

Substantial differences exist in how emotions are described across cultures. (B) Signup and view all the answers

If a person from one culture experiences 'Schadenfreude', how would they likely feel, and what does this illustrate about emotions?

They would feel pleased at another person's difficulties, demonstrating cultural influence on emotions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Ekman's research, what can be inferred about the recognition of facial expressions across different cultures?

There are cross-cultural similarities in differentiating among facial expressions of emotion. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Although there are similarities in recognizing emotions across cultures, what significant differences are observed?

Differences in how people think about, regulate, experience, & express emotions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided content, what is a key reason why certain foods are profitable, particularly in the USA?

The health consequences of these foods create a demand for related industries such as diet programs and healthcare. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the central theme of Esther Perel's quote, 'The quality of your relationships is what determines the quality of your life'?

Strong social connections are crucial for overall well-being and happiness. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'affiliation motive' relate to human behavior, according to the information?

It is a fundamental human need with evolutionary roots, driving us to form and maintain social bonds. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential consequences of ostracism and social isolation as discussed?

Feelings of pain, attempts to reconnect, and potential long-term health risks. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the Scientific American excerpt, how does loneliness compare to other health risk factors?

Loneliness shortens a person’s life by approximately the same amount as being obese or smoking 15 cigarettes per day. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What physiological effects are associated with feelings of loneliness, as indicated in the excerpt?

Release of stress hormones, which are linked to higher blood pressure, decreased resistance to infection, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do individuals with a high need for achievement typically approach challenges?

They look for opportunities to compete against standards and demonstrate their abilities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivator for individuals with a low need for achievement?

The desire to avoid failure. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Susan David, what is the primary problem with suppressing 'bad' emotions?

It often intensifies those emotions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Susan David mean when she says 'discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life'?

Experiencing a range of emotions, including unpleasant ones, is essential for growth and a sense of purpose. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does accurately labeling emotions help us?

It helps us determine the source of our feelings. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best example of the 'hedonic treadmill' in action?

A person who wins the lottery experiences a surge of happiness, but returns to their baseline level of happiness within a year. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of factors would most strongly predict higher levels of happiness?

Strong genetic predisposition to happiness, satisfying relationships and fulfilling work. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies nonverbal leakage, indicating a discrepancy between stated feelings and actual emotions?

A person claims to be unaffected by criticism while subtly clenching their jaw and avoiding eye contact. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do display rules primarily influence emotional expression in social contexts?

By dictating the appropriate circumstances, methods, and recipients for emotional displays. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A person experiences fear and, as a result, their heart rate increases and they begin to tremble. Which theory of emotion aligns with this sequence of events?

The James-Lange Theory, where the physical response precedes and causes the emotion. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following observations challenged the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Emotional experiences can occur rapidly, sometimes before physiological changes are fully realized. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to the James-Lange theory, what does the Cannon-Bard theory propose about the relationship between physiological responses and emotional experience?

Physiological responses and emotional experiences occur simultaneously and independently. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the Cannon-Bard theory, which brain structure is responsible for simultaneously relaying information to the cortex (for emotional experience) and the autonomic nervous system (for physiological response)?

The thalamus (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher aims to test the Cannon-Bard theory. Which experimental design would best align with the core tenets of this theory?

Measuring the time delay between physiological arousal and the subjective experience of emotion. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does contemporary understanding of the brain differ from the original Cannon-Bard theory regarding the neurological basis of emotion?

Contemporary findings indicate that the hypothalamus and limbic system, not the thalamus, are central to emotional experience. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Schachter and Singer's Two-Factor Theory of Emotion, which of the following is the correct sequence of events in the experience of emotion?

Physiological arousal, cognitive interpretation, emotional label. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the Capilano Suspension Bridge study by Dutton and Aron, what was the key finding that supports the misattribution of arousal?

Men on the wobbly bridge were more likely to call the female confederate due to misinterpreting their fear-induced arousal as attraction. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do contemporary neuroscience perspectives, contrasting with the Two-Factor Theory, explain the activation of the brain during emotional experiences?

Specific emotions correlate with distinct activation patterns in different brain regions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett's Theory of Constructed Emotion, what is the role of past experiences in our emotional experiences?

Past experiences are used by the brain to predict and construct our experience of the present world. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best summarizes a key difference between the Two-Factor Theory of Emotion and the Theory of Constructed Emotion?

The Two-Factor Theory views emotions as labels attached to arousal, while the Theory of Constructed Emotion views emotions as constructed guesses based on past experiences. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, what does it mean to 'be the architect of your experience' in the context of emotions?

Teaching your brain to predict differently, thereby influencing your emotional experiences. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of misattribution of arousal, as demonstrated in the Capilano Bridge study?

Attributing increased heart rate and sweating during a scary movie to attraction towards the person next to you. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the Theory of Constructed Emotion explain the phenomenon where the same physical sensation (e.g., stomach rumble) can lead to different emotional experiences?

The brain constructs different emotional experiences based on context, past experiences, and predictions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Affiliation Motive

The need to associate with others and maintain social bonds, a fundamental human need.

Ostracism

The act of being ignored or excluded, causing emotional pain and prompting attempts to reconnect.

Social Isolation

A condition where individuals perceive themselves as alone or distant from others, recognized as a public health issue.