Exam 1 (Ch 1,2,3) Flashcards
Motivation serves as an intervening variable in the example of running rats. Define this term:(p4-5)
It serves to link a stimulus and response and helps to relate the two.
How does the text describe a performance variable? (P5)
When enough motivation is present, behavior is performed, when motivation is too low, behavior is absent.
Contrast motivation with learning. (p. 5)
Motivation offers a temporary change in behavior while learning offers a more permanent change in behavior
While the occurrence of overt behavior is generally taken as evidence of motivation, its absence does not necessarily mean what? (p. 6)
Does not necessarily mean lack of motivation.
Both casual observation and laboratory research suggest that __________ behavior is more motivated than __________ behavior. (p. 6)
Energetic, hesitant
Vigorous responses do not always mean high motivation. Give the example from the book that demonstrates this fact. (p. 7)
Ex: It is possible to teach a rat that the correct response to obtain food is to push down a lever with a certain amount of force.
____________ is often considered an index of motivational state. (p. 7)
Directionality
What is the goal of preference testing? (p. 7)
To determine between one or more objects from the environment which is the more motivating.
What is the main difference in focus between the nomothetic and the idiographic approach? (p. 7-8)
- Nomothetic approach involves the development of general or universal laws to determine how something is similar.
- Idiographic approach proposes that we can understand behavior by looking at how people differ from each other by examining how people are unique.
What is the term used by McDougall and James to describe innate motives? (p. 8)
instincts.
According to the text, different motive states can be conceptualized as needs that promote need-reducing behaviors. How are needs usually viewed? (p. 8)
… as internal sources of motivation that activate the direct behavior to the environment, that alleviate some state of deprivation.
What are the assumptions of the mechanistic approach? (p. 9)
it assumes that changes in a specific factor can activate circuits that in turn motivate the organism to engage in behavior.
What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach? (p. 9)
how information is interpreted dictates how you feel
What are the four main categories used by the book to describe levels of analysis? (pp. 9-10)
Psychological Analysis
Individual Analysis
Social Analysis
Philosophical Analysis
What has direct manipulation of the brain by electrical stimulation shown us? (p. 10)
They can be pleasurable or a reward
Activity of large groups of brain cells can be recorded by ______, while small groups and single neurons can be recorded with ________ ________. (p. 10)
EEG, depth electrodes
If we detect behavioral changes in several individuals during an experiment, what might it be proper to presume? (p. 11)
These changes are also present in people in general
Bandura’s research with the Bobo doll is important for an understanding of motivation at the level of the individual. What does it suggest? (p. 11)
Some motivated behaviors are learned quite simply through observation.
Some motives may be learned through observation. What is this called? (p. 14)
This is called Modeling
What is growth motivation? (p. 15)
Stresses the idea that humans are motivated to reach their full potential - physically, psychologically and emotionally.
Descartes’ idea of ________ states that humans are motivated by both body (or _______) and soul (or _____). (p. 16-17)
Dualism, Instinct, Will
The _____ _____ of ideas, according to John Locke, are the conversion of ________ into _________, and ________. (p. 17)
two sources, sensation, perception, reflection
What is the importance of Müller’s doctrine of specific nerve energies? [Two reasons] (p. 18)
Nerves send specific coded messages rather than allowing for animal spirits
These codes determine the content of the information.
Though Gall’s phrenology is no longer useful, there is value in his emphasis on what? (p. 18)
His emphasis on the localization of function within the brain has been very important.
According to Dawkins, why do living organisms exist? (p. 21)
Living organisms exist for the benefit of DNA. Organisms are simply the temporary receptacles that flow information stored in the Genes to continue to exist across time.
Distinguish between mitosis and meiosis. (p. 21-22)
Mitosis: a process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells (asexual)
Meiosis: a process where two specialized cells(each with half the number of chromosomes of a normal cell) are produced by a female and male and are then later combined to form a new cell that includes genetic information from each of the two individual cells.
Why is the survival of the individual so ‘viciously and tenaciously defended,’ according to the authors? (p. 22)
Because the survival of the individual’s genetic information is dependent on the successful reproduction of that individual or related individuals who share some of the individual’s genes.
Based on the analysis on page 22, which is the more fundamental process: reproduction or metabolism?
Reproduction is the more fundamental process
Sexual motivation is a mechanism for finding a partner for procreation. Which organisms are most successful and what becomes the norm for a species? (p. 22)
Organisms with the strongest sexual motivation would be expected to be the most successful and would would eventually become the norm.
All organisms alive today compete to provide _____________________ (p. 22)
the players(genetic information for the next generation of the game
What is the first advantage of sexual, rather than asexual, reproduction? (p. 23)
A recombination of the genes of the two parents, thus providing offspring that possess new genetic combinations that provide a greater diversity of genes for survival
Sexually reproductive species can evolve faster
A second advantage of sexual reproduction is that it can allow ______ of genetic material within the ____ _____. (p. 23)
repair, gene pool
Beneficial mutations can spread rapidly through the gene pool without losing what? (p. 23).
The advantages of the original gene
Why is sexual behavior pleasurable? (p. 23-24).
Motivates animals to reproduce
What is one reason that ‘safe sex’ is so difficult to sell to men especially? (p. 24)
Reduces possibilities of reproduction
Why is the male red spider’s behavior considered to be adaptive? (p. 24)
Because his genetic information is more likely to continue than a male spider who does not behave in this way.
The aggressive behavior of many mothers when offspring are endangered can be viewed as a tendency to________________________.(p. 24)
Risk ones life for the next generation.
How do tropical mammals differ from those in temperate zones? (p. 24)
Tropical female mammals are more receptive to sexual activity all year
The authors suggest that cyclic sexual receptivity evolved for a particular reason. What is it? (p. 24)
Cyclic sexual receptivity evolved to restrict sexual behavior in those times when successful reproduction was most likely to occur.
What is the unusual result of the behavior of species (such as humans and bonobos) that engage in sex for non-reproductive reasons? (p. 24)
They increase the chances of living long enough to successfully reproduce.
The interaction of two things leads to the process called natural selection. What are they? (p. 26)
The environment influences the progression of genetic change.
Natural selection influences three characteristics of genes:_____, _____ and _____. (p. 26)
viability, fertility and fecundity
Give a brief evolutionary explanation for the distress calls of baby chicks. (p. 26)
Calls the mother to come look for them. Promotes survival, protection for chicks
What is sexual selection? (p. 27)
Choosing a particular member of the opposite sex to mate with instead of another.
A human female has about _____ chances to pass her genetic information between the ages of ___ and ___. (p. 27)
400, 13, 45
What is the developmental period that is of such concern to females? (p. 27)
When the offspring need to be maintained before they can maintain themselves.
What is the difference between a female’s and male’s mating strategy? (p. 27)
Female optimal strategy should be to select a mate who will provide her offspring(and thus her genes) with the greatest chance of survival.
The optimal strategy for the male wold be to mate with as many females as possible in order to pass his genetic information on to the next generation.
To what type of man does evolutionary theory suggest women be attracted? (p. 27)
Men who possess the resources to support them and any children they produce because women have a larger investment in their offspring than men do.
f women are competing for men, what does evolutionary theory suggest that women will do? (p. 28)
Such competition should revolve around reproductive value associated with youthfulness and health and is generally indicated by physical appearance and attractiveness.
William James emphasized three important components in human behavior. What are those three? (p. 28)
Instincts, emotion, thoughts
