MESH Flashcards
Define motivation
A need or desire that causes a behavior toward a goal
What is a primary need
Innate and unlearned behavior (hunger,thirst, need for warmth)
What is a secondary need
Physiological needs such as social approval, belonging, love
Define drive
State of arousal caused by biological or physiological needs motivates us to engage in drive reducing behaviors
Define drive reduction theory and its relation to homeostasis
We are motivated to engage in behaviors that reduce drive.. in order to return our body to homeostasis
Thorndike’s Law of Effect
Any behavior that leads to a desirable outcome will be repeated
Relate the law of effect to drive reduction theory
If homeostasis is achieved by a behavior, that behavior will likely be repeated
Define incentive theory
We are motivated by promise of a reward or punishment
Connect the law of effect to incentive theory
The neurotransmitter dopamine is released in a neural reward circuit when we feel pleasure. We are then motivated to engage in the behavior that brought us pleasure.
Define intrinsic motivation
Desire to perform a behavior for its own sake and to be effective
Define extrinsic motivation
desire to perform a behavior because of promised reward or threats of punishment
Define over justification effect
Expected external incentive such as money or prizes decreases a person’s intrinsic motivation to perform a task.
Define arousal theory
Motivation is caused by specific levels of arousal. Each person seeks to obtain and maintain an optimum level of arousal
Define Yerkes-Dodson Law
The relationship between arousal and performance. Too much or too little arousal will negatively impact performance. (inverted U)
How do instincts explain motivation
Behaviors are caused by biological needs to survive
What theory has replaced instinct theory
Evolutionary theory
What is instinct theory
We are motivated by survival needs
Define an incentive
Positive or negative stimuli that motivates behavior
Define Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs
Pyramid in which the lowest level must be met to some degree before moving on to the next, we spend our lives climbing the pyramid
List the 6 of Maslow’s Hierarchy tiers
Physiological, safety, love, esteem, self-actualization, self-transendence
Describe Washburns study
He swallowed a balloon to discover his stomach was contracting whenever he felt hunger
Relationship between insulin and blood glucose
As one goes up, the other goes down
If your glucose level is low, you feel _____
hungry
Stimulating the lateral hypothalamus will cause an animal to ___
feel hunger and eat