Ch. 5: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress Flashcards
what are the four main premises of theories of motivation?
- Instinct theory
- Arousal theory
- Drive reduction theory
- Need-based theory
defn: instinct theory of motivation
certain behaviors are based on evolutionarily programmed instincts
defn: arousal
the psychological and physiological state of being awake and reactive to stimuli
defn: arousal theory of motivation
people perform actions in order to maintain an optimal level of arousal
defn: Yerkes-Dodson law
part of the arousal theory of motivation
performance is worst at extremely high and low levels of arousal and optimal at some intermediate level
varies between different task types
low levels optimal for highly cognitive tasks
high levels optimal for activities requiring physical endurance and stamina
simple tasks require slightly higher arousal than compelx tasks
defn: drive vs. instinct vs. incentive
instinct: innate, fixed patterns of behavior
drive: internal states of tension that activate particular behaviors focused on goals (drives do not require external factors)
drive: creates an uncomfortable state which ensures motivation to eliminate the state or relieve the internal tension created by unmet needs
incentive: reward, avoidance of punishment
defn: primary drives and secondary drives
primary: water, food, warmth –> motivate us to sustain homeostasis
secondary: not related to biological process; stem from learning; can include emotions
what controls homeostasis?
negative feedback loops
defn: drive reduction theory
motivation is based on the goal of eliminating uncomfortable states
(physio conditions result in neg. internal environment –> drives motivation and seeks homeostasis to reduce the discomfort)
defn: need-based theories of motivation
energy and resources are allocated to best satisfy human needs
defn: primary vs. secondary needs
primary: physiological (food, water, sleep, shelter)
secondary: mental states (power, achievement, social belonging)
defn: needs (per Maslow)
relatively long-lasting feelings that require relief or satisfaction and tend to influence action
what are the 5 levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? and how does one progress through them?
- Physiological (most primitive, essential, the foundation)
- Safety
- Love/Belonging
- Esteem
- Self-actualization/need to realize one’s fullest potential
If the lowest level of need is not met, motivation to meet that need will be the highest priority
once the lowest level is met, if additional needs exist, they will be satisfied based on priority
defn: self-based determination theory (SDT)
emphasizes the role of three universal needs
- autonomy
- competence
- relatedness
these three needs must be met to develop healthy relationships with yourself and others
defn: incentive theory
behavior is motivated by the desire to pursue rewards and avoid punishments
defn: expectancy-value theory
the amount of motivation needed to reach a goal is the result of the:
- individual’s expectation of success in reaching the goal
- the degree to which the individual values succeeding at the goal
defn: opponent-process theory
explained with continuous drug use
when a drug is taken repeatedly, the body attempts to counteract the effects of the drug by changing its physiology
reaction lasts longer than the drug –> withdrawal symptoms
defn: tolerance
a decreased in perceived drug effect over time
relates to opponent-process theory
what are the three elements of an emotion? describe them.
- physiological response (arousal stimulated by the autonomic nervous system)
- behavioral response (facial expressions, body language)
- cognitive response (subjective interpretation of the feeling being experienced)
what are the seven universal emotions?
- happiness
- sadness
- contempt
- surprise
- fear
- disgust
- anger
what is the basis behind the idea of universal emotions?
emotions are a result of evolution and are thus universal (expressions also universal)
defn: evolutionary perspective
everything we do, think, and feel is based on specialized functional programs designed for any problem we encounter
what are the three theories of emotion? describe them.
James-Lange:
- Stimulus
- Physiological arousal (periphery organs receive info and respond)
- Emotion labeled (brain reacts to peripheral organ response)
Cannon-Bard:
- Physiological arousal and emotional feeling occur at the same time (stimulus sends info to cortex and SNS at the same time)
- Behavioral component of emotion
Schacter-Singer (cognitive arousal/two-factor theory):
- Physiological arousal and cognitive label/appraisal (identification of stimulus) are needed to experience emotion
defn, loc, components: limbic system
a complex set of structures involved in emotion and motivation
below the cerebrum on either side of the thalamus
amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus and fornix, septal nuclei, parts of the cerebral cortex
defn and func: amygdala
small, round structure
signals the cortex about stimuli related to attention and emotions
processes the environment, detects external cues, learns from person’s surroundings to produce emotion
assoc. with fear, plays a role in human emotion through interpretation of facial expressions
defn and func: thalamus
preliminary sensory processing station
routes info to the cortex and other brain areas
defn, loc, and func: hypothalamus
loc: below the thalamus
synthesizes and releases a variety of neurotransmitters
homeostatic functions, modulate emotion, dictates emotional states
defn, loc, and func: hippocampus
loc: temporal lobe
creates long-term memories, creates context for stimuli to lead to an emotional experience
match: hippocampus, amygdala
explicit memory, implicit memory
hippocampus : explicit memory (conscious)
amygdala: implicit memory (emotional)
both : formation and retrieval of emotional memories
defn and aka: emotional memory
implicit memory
the storage of the actual feelings of emotion associated with an event
when experiencing a similar event later on, these emotions may be retrieved (think of PTSD)
describe: formation and retrieval of emotional memories via explicit and implicit memory systems
formation / explicit: memory about emotion
formation / implicit: emotional memory
retrieval / explicit: conscious memory of the emotional event
retrieval / implicit: expression of emotional responses
defn, divisions, func, loc: prefrontal cortex
- Prefrontal cortex: anterior part of frontal lobes; assoc. with planning intricate cognitive functions, expressing personality, making decisions, coordinate arousal and cognitive states
- dorsal prefrontal cortex: attention and cognition
- ventral prefrontal cortex: connects with brain regions responsible for experiencing emotion
- ventromedial prefrontal cortex: substantial role in decision making and controlling emotional responses from the amygdala
defn: cognitive appraisal
the subjective evaluation of a situation that induces stress
what are the two stages of cognitive appraisal? describe them.
- primary appraisal (initial evaluation of the environment and the associated threat; can be identified as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful)
IF PRIMARY APPRAISAL REVEALS A THREAT, STAGE 2 BEGINS
- secondary appraisal (evaluating whether the organism can cope with stress; evaluates harm or damage caused by the event, threat or potential for future damage caused by the event, and challenge or the potential to overcome and possibly benefit from the event)
defn: reappraisal
ongoing monitoring, constant
defn: distress vs. eustress
distress: occurs when a stressor is perceived as unpleasant (threat)
eustress: the result of a positively-perceived stressor (challenge)
defn: social readjustment rating scale
a system for measuring stress level in “life change units”
defn: approach-approach conflict
the need to choose between two desirable options
defn: avoidance-avoidance conflict
the need to choose between two negative options
defn: approach-avoidance conflict
deal with only one choice, goal, or event but the outcome could have both positive and negative elements
defn, stages, and explanation: general adaptation syndrome
the sequence of physiological responses to stressors
- alarm
- resistance
- exhaustion
3a. Panic zone
3b. Breakdown/Burnout
alarm: initial reaction to a stressor & activation of sympathetic nervous system
resistance: continuous hormone release allows the sympathetic nervous system to remain engaged to fight the stressor
exhaustion: the body can no longer maintain an elevated response with sympathetic nervous system activity
