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MCAT: Behavioural Sciences > Chapter 5: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress > Flashcards

Chapter 5: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress Flashcards

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MCAT flashcards
1
Q

Differentiate extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

A

Extrinsic: external forces, coming from outside oneself, create motivation (rewards, avoiding punishment)
Intrinsic: motivation that comes from within oneself (driven by interest, enjoyment)

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2
Q

Define instincts.

A

Innate, fixed patterns of behavior in response to stimuli. It may be consistent throughout life, or it may appear and disappear with time

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3
Q

What does the instinct theory state?

A

People are driven to do certain behaviors based on evolutionarily programmed instincts

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4
Q

What did William James describe in line with the instinct theory?

A

Humans are driven by:
- Physical instincts (suckling, locomotion)
- Mental instincts (curiosity, fearfulness)
Many instincts are in conflict with one another, and can be overridden by experience

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5
Q

Who was the greatest contributor to the instinct theory? How many distinctive instincts did he think humans had?

A
  • William McDougall

- 18 instincts

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6
Q

Define arousal.

A

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

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7
Q

What does arousal involve physiologically?

A

Brainstem, automatic nervous system, endocrine system

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8
Q

What does the arousal theory state?

A

People perform actions in order to maintain an optimal level of arousal (arousal “homeostasis”)

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9
Q

What does the Yerkes-Dodson law state?

A

Performance is worst at extremely low and high levels of arousal, and optimal in the middle

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10
Q

Which arousal levels are optimal for highly cognitive tasks? Which arousal levels are optimal for activities that require physical endurance and stamina?

A

Cognitive: lower levels of arousal
Physical: higher levels of arousal

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11
Q

Define drives. How do they originate?

A
  • Internal states of tension that activate particular behaviors focused on goals
  • Originate within an individual without requiring external factors to motivate the behavior
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12
Q

What are primary drives? Give examples.

A
  • Drives that motivate us to sustain bodily processes in homeostasis
  • Food, water, warmth
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13
Q

How is homeostasis controlled?

A

Negative feedback loops

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14
Q

What are secondary drives? Give examples.

A
  • Drives that stem from learning that motivate us to fulfill nonbiological (usually emotional) desires
  • Nurturing, love, achievement, aggression
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15
Q

What does the drive reduction theory state?

A

Motivation is based on the goal of eliminating uncomfortable states

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16
Q

Maslow’s pyramid is an example of what kind of motivation theory?

A

Maslow’s Hierarchy of NEEDS

If the lowest level is not met, there will be no motivation to accomplish the next level

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17
Q

Name the 4 primary factors that influence motivation.

A
  • Instincts
  • Arousal
  • Drives
  • Needs
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18
Q

What does the self-determination theory state? What kind of motivation theory is it?

A
  • Need-based theory

- Emphasizes the role of three universal needs to develop healthy relationships: autonomy, competence, and relatedness

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19
Q

What does incentive theory state?

A

Behavior is motivated not by need or arousal, but by the desire to pursue rewards and to avoid punishment

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20
Q

What does the expectancy-value theory state?

A

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 she values succeeding at the goal

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21
Q

What does the opponent-process theory state? What does it explain?

A
  • Explains continuous drug use AND tolerance
  • When a drug is taken repeatedly, the body will attempt to counteract the effects of the drug by changing its physiology
  • Can create withdrawal effects that will increase dependence
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22
Q

Which hormones contribute to sexual motivation?

A

Estrogens, progesterone and androgens

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23
Q

What contributes to sexual motivation?

A
  • Hormones
  • Smell
  • Pleasure and interpretation of pleasure
  • Cognition
  • Culture and society
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24
Q

List Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in decreasing priority.

A
  • Physiological needs
  • Safety and security
  • Love and belonging
  • Self-esteem
  • Self-actualization
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25
Q

According to the opponent-process theory, what clinical features would be expected with withdrawal from cocaine use?

A

Cocaine: euphoria, restlessness, increased heart rate and temperature, anxiety
Withdrawal: depressed mood, fatigue, decreased heart rate and temperature, apathy

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26
Q

Define emotion.

A

A natural instinctive state of mind derived from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others

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27
Q

Name the three elements of emotion.

A
  • Physiological response
  • Behavioral response
  • Cognitive response
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28
Q

What is arousal stimulated by?

A

The sympathetic nervous system

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29
Q

What is the physiological response to emotion?

A

Changes in heart rate, breathing rate, skin temperature, and blood pressure

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30
Q

What is the behavioral response to emotion?

A

Facial expressions and body language

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31
Q

What is the cognitive response to emotion? What is it caused by?

A

The subjective interpretation of the feeling being experienced; largely based on memories of past experiences and perception of the cause of the emotion

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32
Q

Who argued that emotions are universal? Why?

A
  • Darwin

- He stated that they are a result of evolution

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33
Q

Paul Ekman described 7 basic emotions that are recognized around the world. What are they?

A
  • Happiness
  • Sadness
  • Contempt
  • Surprise
  • Fear
  • Disgust
  • Anger
34
Q

How did Darwin integrate emotions into his theory of evolution?

A

Evolutionary adaptations due to situations encountered over the evolutionary history of the human species that guide sensory processing, physiological response, and behavior

35
Q

In the James-Lange theory of emotions, what are the first and second responses to the stimulus?

A

1) Nervous system arousal (physiological)
2) Conscious emotion
* Physiological arousal is what leads to the emotion. So, he stated that people with spinal cord injuries should feel less emotions, which has been proved to be false

36
Q

In the Cannon-Bard theory of emotions, what are the first and second responses to the stimulus?

A

1) Nervous system arousal and conscious emotion
2) Action
* Cognitive and physiological components of emotion occur simultaneously

37
Q

In the Schachter-Singer theory of emotions, what are the first and second responses to the stimulus?

A

1) Nervous system arousal and cognitive appraisal
2) Conscious emotion
Both arousal and labeling based on environment required to feel an emotion

38
Q

What is the Schachter-Singer theory also called?

A
  • Cognitive arousal theory

- Two-factor theory

39
Q

What is cognitive appraisal?

A

To feel an emotion, one must consciously analyze the environment in relation to nervous system arousal

40
Q

What is the most notable part of the brain that is responsible for emotions and motivation?

A

The limbic system

41
Q

What does the James-Lange theory require?

A

Requires connection between sympathetic nervous system and the brain

42
Q

What does the Cannon-Bard theory not explain?

A

Does not explain vagus nerve

43
Q

An individual sees a snake, feels scared and runs. What went on in his brain?

A

Thalamus processes sensory information, sends it to the cortex and sympathetic nervous system

44
Q

What is the function of the amygdala?

A
  • Involved with attention and emotion (especially fear)
  • Helps interpret facial expressions
  • Part of the intrinsic memory system for emotional memory
45
Q

What is the function of the thalamus?

A
  • Sensory processing station; routes information to the cortex and other areas
46
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

A
  • Releases neurotransmitters that affect mood and arousal
  • Serves a homeostatic function
  • Modulating emotion, dictates emotional states
47
Q

What is the function of the hippocampus?

A
  • Creates long-term explicit memories (episodic memories)
48
Q

What is the function of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex?

A
  • Involved in decision-making and controlling emotional responses from the amygdala
49
Q

Who does the amygdala signal?

A

The cortex about stimuli related to attention and emotions

50
Q

Where is the hippocampus located?

A

Temporal lobe

51
Q

What controls the explicit memory system? What controls the implicit memory system?

A

Explicit: hippocampus (medial temporal lobe)
Implicit: amygdala

52
Q

What is explicit memory?

A

The memory of experiencing the actual emotion

53
Q

What is implicit memory? What is it also referred to?

A
  • Storage of the actual feelings of emotion associated with an event; when experiencing a similar event, emotions may be retried
  • Emotional memory
54
Q

The ability to distinguish and interpret others’ facial expressions is primarily controlled by what?

A

Temporal lobe, with some input from the occipital lobe

55
Q

What area of the brain is associated with planning intricate cognitive functions, expressing personality, and making decisions?

A

Prefrontal cortex

56
Q

Where does the prefrontal cortex receive arousal input from?

A

Brainstem

57
Q

Which side of the prefrontal cortex is associated with positive emotions? Which side is associated with negative emotions?

A

Left: positive
Right: negative

58
Q

What is the dorsal prefrontal cortex associated with?

A

Attention and cognition

59
Q

What does the ventral prefrontal cortex do?

A
  • Connects with regions of the brain responsible for experiencing emotion
  • Decision-making
  • Controlling emotional responses from the amygdala
60
Q

Which nervous system is related to emotion?

A

Automatic nervous system

61
Q

Define cognitive appraisal.

A

The subjective evaluation of a situation that induces stress

62
Q

What is the first stage or cognitive appraisal? How can the stress be identified?

A
  • Primary appraisal (Stage 1)
  • Initial evaluation of the environment and the associated threat
  • Identified as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful
63
Q

What happens if the primary appraisal reveals a threat?

A

Stage 2 appraisal begins

64
Q

What is the second stage of cognitive appraisal? What kind of individual experiences less stress?

A
  • Secondary appraisal (Stage 2)
  • Evaluating whether the organism can cope with the stress
  • Those who perceive themselves as having the ability to cope with the event have less stress
65
Q

What are the three times the secondary appraisal evaluates?

A

1) Harm, or damaged caused by the event
2) Threat, or the potential for future damage caused by the event
3) Challenge, or the potential to overcome and possibly benefit from the event

66
Q

When does distress occur?

A

When experiencing unpleasant stressors

67
Q

When does eustress occur?

A

A result of positive conditions (graduating from college)

68
Q

How can stress level be measured? According to what system?

A
  • In life change units

- Social readjustment rating scale

69
Q

Name factors that influence stress.

A
  • Pressure
  • Control
  • Predictability
  • Frustration
  • Conflict
70
Q

What is approach-approach conflict?

A

Choosing between two desirable options

71
Q

What is avoidance-avoidance conflict?

A

Choosing between two negative options

72
Q

What is approach-avoidance conflict?

A

Dealing with only one choice, goal, or event, but the outcome could have both positive and negative elements (ex: job promotion)

73
Q

What physiological changes are observed in the first stage of the general adaptation syndrome? What is the stage name?

A
  • Alarm (Stage 1)
  • Activation of sympathetic nervous system, release of ACTH and cortisol, stimulation of adrenal medulla to secrete epinephrine
74
Q

What physiological changes are observed in the second stage of the general adaptation syndrome? What is the stage name?

A
  • Resistance (Stage 2)

- Continuous release of hormones activates sympathetic nervous system

75
Q

What physiological changes are observed in the third stage of the general adaptation syndrome? What is the stage name?

A
  • Exhaustion (Stage 3)
  • Can no longer maintain elevated sympathetic nervous system activity, more susceptible to illness and medical conditions, organ systems deteriorate, death
76
Q

When subjected to stress, the body goes through physiological responses based on the general adaptation syndrome. What are the three stages?

A

1) Alarm
2) Resistance
3) Exhaustion

77
Q

Which hormone maintains the steady supply of blood sugar needed to respond to stressful events?

A

Cortisol

78
Q

What are the two types of strategies for coping with stress?

A
  • Problem-focused strategies

- Emotionally-focused strategies

79
Q

Working to overcome a stressor (reaching out to family and friends for social support, confronting the issue, and creating a plan) is what kind of strategy for coping with stress?

A

Problem-focused strategy

80
Q

Changing one’s feelings about a stressor (taking responsibility, engaging in self-control, distancing oneself) is what kind of strategy for coping with stress?

A

Emotionally-focused strategies

81
Q

If an individual reaches out to loved ones for support in stressful times, what kind of coping strategy is that?

A

Adaptive

82
Q

If an individual turns to drugs and alcohol in stressful times, what kind of coping strategy is that?

A

Maladaptive

MCAT: Behavioural Sciences (12 decks)

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