MCAT Emotion Flashcards
Motivation
The purpose behind our actions.
Can be extrinsic ( external) or intrinsic ( internal).
Instinct theory of motivation
States that people perform certain behaviors because it’s evolutionarily programmed for them to do so.
Arousal theory
People perform best when they’re at an optimal level.
Yerkes- dodson model
People perform best when there is an optimal level of arousal. Not too high or too low.
Drives
Internal states of tension that cause us to work towards somethin.
Drive- reduction theory
We become motivated when there is internal tension ( from a drive) to be reduced.
Haslow’s hierarchy of needs
Prioritizes needs into 5 categories.
- ( most basic) - Physiological need.
- Safety
- Love & belonging
- Esteem
- Self- actualization
Mnemonic: “ Peter saw Lily Eat Salmon”
Self- determination theory
States that we have 3 basic needs:
- Autonomy
- Competence
- Relatedness
Incentive theory
States that our motivations are based in seeking rewards and avoiding punishments.
Expectancy value
States that our motivation is based in what value we see in succeeding in said task and our expectations in succeeding.
Opponent- process theory
States that with drug use we our body works to produce the opposite effect to bring the body back to homeostasis. This causes tolerance and eventually addiction.
Emotion. What are the three components?
Subjective feelings based on circumstances.
- Cognitive ( subjective)
- Behavioral ( facial expression, body language)
- Physiological ( autonomic NS)
What are the 7 universal emotions
Fear, happiness, sadness, contempt, suprise, fear, disgust, anger.
James- lange theory
Physiological arousal happens first and then we label the emotion.
Cannon- bard theory
Simultaneous physiological arousal and cognitive labelling.
Satcher- Singer theory
NS is stimulated which allows our brain to interpret the context and then label the appropiate emotion to the context.
What part of the brain is primarily involved in emotion?
The limbic system
Composed of:
Hypothalamus, thalamus, septal nuclei, and prefrontal cortex.
Describe the parts of the limbic system.
- Amygdala - involved in attention, fear, aggression, interpreting facial expression, and emotional memory.
Septal nuclei - involved in pleasure seeking behavior. Involved in addition.
Thalamus - sensory- stimuli processing station.
Hypothalamus- Releases NTs that effect mood.
Hippocampus memory- creates long-term episodic memories. Communicates with other parts of limbic system via the fornix.
Prefrontal cortex- involved in planning, personality, and making decisions.
Stress appraisal
A way we evaluate a stressful situation. Happens in 2 stages:
- Primary appraisal- determining is stressor is stressful, irrevalent, or positive.
- Secondary appraisal - identifying if the organism can deal with the stressor.
What is a stressor?
Anything that causes the stress response.
General adaptation syndrome
- Alarm
- Resistance
- Exhaustion
