5 Motivation, emotion, and stress Flashcards
What is the Yerkes-Dodson law?
Part of arousal theory
Postulates that there is a U shaped function between the level of arousal and performance.
What is drive reduction theory?
The theory that motivation is driven by the desire to reduce needs, reduce internal tension and maintain homeostasis. Primary drives (biological: water, food) and secondary drives (e.g. getting into med school)
Homeostasis is usually controlled by negative feedback loops.
This is different than need-based theories of motivation, which motivate behaviour to satisfy needs in increasing order on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
What is self-determination theory?
SDT
Emphasizes the role of three universal needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
What are the four primary factors that influence motivation?
- Instincts
- Arousal
- Drives
- Needs
What is incentive theory?
What is expectancy-value theory?
Incentive theory explains that behaviour is motivated not by need or arousal, but by the desire to pursue rewards and to avoid punishment.
Expectancy value theory states that the amount of motivation needed to reach a goal is the result of both the individual’s expectation of success in reaching the goal and the degree to which he or she values succeeding at the goal.
What is opponent-process theory?
Explains continuous drug use, despite it being harmful to the user.
Opponent-process theory explains that when a drug is taken repeatedly the body will attempt to counteract the effects of the drug by changing its physiology. Problem is that this will occur longer than the arousal and become withdrawal (with the exact opposite effects of the drug), creating a physical dependence on the drug.
OPT also explains tolerance, a decrease in perceived drug effect over time.
What are the three elements of an emotion?
- Physiological response (e.g. blood pressure)
- Behavioural response (e.g. smile)
- Cognitive response (subjective interpretation of emotion being experienced)
What are the seven universal emotions as theorized by Darwin and described by Paul Ekman?
- Happiness
- Sadness
- Contempt
- Surprise
- Fear
- Disgust
- Anger
These all are accompanied by universal behavioral responses (facial expressions)
Give the three theories of emotion
James-Lange theory: Stimulus - physiological arousal - secondary response in which emotion is labeled. Peripheral organs give feedback to emotions and are necessary for experiencing emotions (this has been debunked by spinal cord injury victims). Nervous system arousal occurs before conscious emotion.
Cannon-Bard theory: Physiolgical arousal and feeling an emotion occur at the same time, not in sequence. (e.g. I am afraid because I see a snake AND my heart is racing.. Let me out of here!). Nervous system arousal and conscious emotion occur before action.
Schachter-Singer theory: Cognitive arousal theory or two-factor theory. Both arousal and the labeling of arousal based on environment must occur in order for an emotion to be experienced. What is unique is this aspect of cognitive appraisal occurring before conscious emotion.
Which part of the limbic system largely dictates emotional states?
The hypothalamus
note: tempting to pick amygdala, but that is more involved in processing the environment, emotion PRODUCTION, and fear
Describe the two stages of cognitive appraisal of stress
The first, primary appraisal is the initial examination and identification of stressor as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful.
The secondary appraisal evaluates one’s ability to cope with the stress.
Primary appraisal is mostly objective, but secondary appraisal is largely individualistic (e.g. different people will have wildly different coping abilities to spiders).
Some things such as the stress of being followed need constant reappraisal.
Stressors are classified as either causing _____ or _____
Distress: experiencing unpleasant stressors
Eustress: Stressful positive life events (e.g. graduating college, having a baby). Can be measured in life change units in a system called the social readjustement rating scale.
Give detailed description of the physiological response to stressors
Alarm stage: hypothalamus stimulates pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This stimulates adrenal gland to produce cortisol, a steady supply of this maintains high blood sugar levels to respond to stress. Adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine to activate sympathetic nervous system.
Resistance stage: continuous release of hormones allows sympathetic nervous system to remain engaged to fight stressor.
Exhaustion stage: Body can no longer maintain sympathetic activity and body becomes susceptible to illness and medical conditions (e.g. ulcers, hypertension).
