Ch. 5: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress

Question 1

what are the four main premises of theories of motivation?

Answer 1

1. Instinct theory
2. Arousal theory
3. Drive reduction theory
4. Need-based theory

Question 2

defn: instinct theory of motivation

Answer 2

certain behaviors are based on evolutionarily programmed instincts

Question 3

defn: arousal

Answer 3

the psychological and physiological state of being awake and reactive to stimuli

Question 4

defn: arousal theory of motivation

Answer 4

people perform actions in order to maintain an optimal level of arousal

Question 5

defn: Yerkes-Dodson law

Answer 5

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

Question 6

defn: drive vs. instinct vs. incentive

Answer 6

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

Question 7

defn: primary drives and secondary drives

Answer 7

primary: water, food, warmth –> motivate us to sustain homeostasis

secondary: not related to biological process; stem from learning; can include emotions

Question 8

what controls homeostasis?

Answer 8

negative feedback loops

Question 9

defn: drive reduction theory

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

defn: need-based theories of motivation

Answer 10

energy and resources are allocated to best satisfy human needs

Question 11

defn: primary vs. secondary needs

Answer 11

primary: physiological (food, water, sleep, shelter)

secondary: mental states (power, achievement, social belonging)

Question 12

defn: needs (per Maslow)

Answer 12

relatively long-lasting feelings that require relief or satisfaction and tend to influence action

Question 13

what are the 5 levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? and how does one progress through them?

Answer 13

1. Physiological (most primitive, essential, the foundation)
2. Safety
3. Love/Belonging
4. Esteem
5. 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

Question 14

defn: self-based determination theory (SDT)

Answer 14

emphasizes the role of three universal needs

1. autonomy
2. competence
3. relatedness

these three needs must be met to develop healthy relationships with yourself and others

Question 15

defn: incentive theory

Answer 15

behavior is motivated by the desire to pursue rewards and avoid punishments

Question 16

defn: expectancy-value theory

Answer 16

the amount of motivation needed to reach a goal is the result of the:

1. individual’s expectation of success in reaching the goal
2. the degree to which the individual values succeeding at the goal

Question 17

defn: opponent-process theory

Answer 17

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

Question 18

defn: tolerance

Answer 18

a decreased in perceived drug effect over time

relates to opponent-process theory

Question 19

what are the three elements of an emotion? describe them.

Answer 19

1. physiological response (arousal stimulated by the autonomic nervous system)
2. behavioral response (facial expressions, body language)
3. cognitive response (subjective interpretation of the feeling being experienced)

Question 20

what are the seven universal emotions?

Answer 20

1. happiness
2. sadness
3. contempt
4. surprise
5. fear
6. disgust
7. anger

Question 21

what is the basis behind the idea of universal emotions?

Answer 21

emotions are a result of evolution and are thus universal (expressions also universal)

Question 22

defn: evolutionary perspective

Answer 22

everything we do, think, and feel is based on specialized functional programs designed for any problem we encounter

Question 23

what are the three theories of emotion? describe them.

Answer 23

James-Lange:

1. Stimulus
2. Physiological arousal (periphery organs receive info and respond)
3. Emotion labeled (brain reacts to peripheral organ response)

Cannon-Bard:

1. Physiological arousal and emotional feeling occur at the same time (stimulus sends info to cortex and SNS at the same time)
2. Behavioral component of emotion

Schacter-Singer (cognitive arousal/two-factor theory):

1. Physiological arousal and cognitive label/appraisal (identification of stimulus) are needed to experience emotion

Question 24

defn, loc, components: limbic system

Answer 24

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

Question 25

defn and func: amygdala

Answer 25

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

Question 26

defn and func: thalamus

Answer 26

preliminary sensory processing station

routes info to the cortex and other brain areas

Question 27

defn, loc, and func: hypothalamus

Answer 27

loc: below the thalamus

synthesizes and releases a variety of neurotransmitters

homeostatic functions, modulate emotion, dictates emotional states

Question 28

defn, loc, and func: hippocampus

Answer 28

loc: temporal lobe

creates long-term memories, creates context for stimuli to lead to an emotional experience

Question 29

match: hippocampus, amygdala

explicit memory, implicit memory

Answer 29

hippocampus : explicit memory (conscious)

amygdala: implicit memory (emotional)

both : formation and retrieval of emotional memories

Question 30

defn and aka: emotional memory

Answer 30

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)

Question 31

describe: formation and retrieval of emotional memories via explicit and implicit memory systems

Answer 31

formation / explicit: memory about emotion

formation / implicit: emotional memory

retrieval / explicit: conscious memory of the emotional event

retrieval / implicit: expression of emotional responses

Question 32

defn, divisions, func, loc: prefrontal cortex

Answer 32

1. Prefrontal cortex: anterior part of frontal lobes; assoc. with planning intricate cognitive functions, expressing personality, making decisions, coordinate arousal and cognitive states
2. dorsal prefrontal cortex: attention and cognition
3. ventral prefrontal cortex: connects with brain regions responsible for experiencing emotion
4. ventromedial prefrontal cortex: substantial role in decision making and controlling emotional responses from the amygdala

Question 33

defn: cognitive appraisal

Answer 33

the subjective evaluation of a situation that induces stress

Question 34

what are the two stages of cognitive appraisal? describe them.

Answer 34

1. 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

2. 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)

Question 35

defn: reappraisal

Answer 35

ongoing monitoring, constant

Question 36

defn: distress vs. eustress

Answer 36

distress: occurs when a stressor is perceived as unpleasant (threat)

eustress: the result of a positively-perceived stressor (challenge)

Question 37

defn: social readjustment rating scale

Answer 37

a system for measuring stress level in “life change units”

Question 38

defn: approach-approach conflict

Answer 38

the need to choose between two desirable options

Question 39

defn: avoidance-avoidance conflict

Answer 39

the need to choose between two negative options

Question 40

defn: approach-avoidance conflict

Answer 40

deal with only one choice, goal, or event but the outcome could have both positive and negative elements

Question 41

defn, stages, and explanation: general adaptation syndrome

Answer 41

the sequence of physiological responses to stressors

1. alarm
2. resistance
3. 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