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Motivation Flashcards

1
Q

What is motivation

A

The driving force behind behaviour

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2
Q

What does the strength of motivation determine?

A

Determines the likelihood of achieving goals

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3
Q

What is motivation influenced by?

A

Internal and external factors:

  • experience
  • beliefs
  • physiological state
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4
Q

What is drive?

A

A state of arousal that drives behaviour

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5
Q

What are primary drives?

A

Innate needs such as food water and sex

We are focussed on things most needed for survival

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6
Q

What are secondary drives?

A

They are learned through association with primary drives

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7
Q

Explain the drive reduction theory

A

Unmet needs lead to an unpleasant internal state (we want to reduce this)

Behaviour reduces unpleasant states which leads to a drive reduction

Therefore drive reduction is pleasant and leads to drive reduction

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8
Q

Are there any limitations to drive reduction theory?

A

External stimuli can activate drives (not all internal, eg. Not hungry until smell food)

Can be motivated to behave in ways that do not reduce drives

We often engage in behaviours when drives are satisfied

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9
Q

Explain the arousal theory?

A

We are motivated to maintain an optimum level of arousal

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10
Q

What happens if we are too high above our optimum state of arousal

A

Stressed

Don’t perform well

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11
Q

What happens when we are below our optimum state of arousal

A

Bored and don’t perform well

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12
Q

What is the yerkes-Dodson law?

A

An inverted U shape relationship between arousal and performance

When arousal is too low or too high - performance is low

Different for complex and simple tasks

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13
Q

Explain stimulus hunger

A

Can occur when under aroused

A drive for stimulation

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14
Q

Explain approach and avoidance in relation to motivation

A

Approach means a predisposition towards a certain stimuli

Avoidance means a predisposition away from a certain stimuli

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15
Q

What is the relationship between the approach and avoidance theory

A

They can often be in conflict.

The closer we get to our goals, our tendencies to avoid increase

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16
Q

Explain the incentive theory

A

We are motivated by positive goals.

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17
Q

What are the two components to incentive theory and what do they mean

A

Intrinsic motivation: internal reward driven

Extrinsic motivation: external reward driven

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18
Q

What is an incentive?

A

A reward

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19
Q

Explain expectancy-value theory.

A

Motivation is influenced by both the value placed on the goal and the perceived ability to attain it

Part of the incentive theory

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20
Q

Explain reward pathways

A

System of dopamine producing neurons

Extends from the midbrain to the frontal and limbic areas, including nucleus accumbens

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21
Q

What role do reward pathways in motivation?

A

Dopamine is released when a stimulus is rewarding - this acts as a learning signal to repeat behaviours

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22
Q

Humanistic perspective on motivation?

A

Argues desire for personal growth is what motivates behaviour

Relates to Maslows hierarchy of needs

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23
Q

What is maslows hierarchy or needs? What order does it go in from bottom to top?

A

Physiological needs - safety needs- belonging needs - esteem needs -self-actualisation

Claims that the lower levels need to be fulfilled before progressing to more complex needs

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24
Q

Explain the hormones etc involved in increasing and decreasing hunger

A

Ghrelin is a hormone in the stomach that communicates with the hypothalamus to increase hunger.

cholecystokinin signals satiety and reduces appetite

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25
Explain set point theories of eating
Claims individuals have a genetic set point or optimum level of body fat and metabolism that is maintained by homeostatic mechanisms Homeostasis return to this set point by increasing or decreasing appetite
26
What are the limitations to the set point theory of eating
Does not explain obesity or eating disorders Ignores the role of learning and psychosocial factors Conflicts with evolutionary perspectives
27
The positive incentive theory of eating?
The primary reason for eating is the expected pleasure of it This is due to physiological and evolutionary mechanisms, learnt responses and social influences
28
Glucostatic theory?
Hunger or satiety is signalled when blood glucose drops increases
29
What role does insulin play in hunger
Insulin is released when we eat and allows glucose to enter cells and provide satiety signals to the hypothalamus
30
Nutrient/stretch receptors in relation to hunger
The receptors send messages to the hypothalamus that indicate fullness
31
What role does lepton play?
Hormone sends signals about fat stores
32
What are the brain mechanisms involved in hunger and satiety
Lateral hypothalamus: Damage decreases hunger (no on switch) Ventromedial hypothalamus: Damage increases hunger (no satiety switch)
33
What are the psychosocial factors of eating?
- Taste of food: innate preference for sweet foods - Classical conditioning: conditioner to eat at certain times and a response to some stimulus - Presence of others: likely to eat more in the presence of others - Anxiety reduction: ‘comfort eating’
34
What are the evolutionary pressures of weight gain/obesity?
The ones who ate the most were the most likely to survive when food was scarce
35
What are the cultural pressures of weight gain/obesity?
Portion distortion ‘unit bias’ Beliefs around eating
36
What are the physiological and genetic pressures of weight gain/obesity
- Lepton deficiency: difficulty recognising when full and store fat more effectively - Melanocortin-4 receptor gene mutation: inability to feel full - obesity may damage stretch receptors in the stomach - polygenic effects
37
What are the neuropsychologist pressures of weightgain/obesity?
- Sensitivity to reward: reward pathways, increased motivation to derive pleasure from eating - reward deficiency syndrome: hypoactivity in the reward pathways Excessive eating occurs to increase reward responses
38
What chemicals increase sexual motivation?
Testosterone: higher levels - higher sex drive Serotonin: higher levels - decreased sex drive Oxytocin: higher during affectionate interaction Genetics: DRD4 protein (dopamine transporter)
39
What is the 4 phase sexual response cycle?
Excitement: people experience sexual pleasure and start to notice physiological changes Plateau: Orgasm: sexual pleasures and physical changes peak Resolution: relaxation and sense of well being as body returns to unstimulated state
40
Is the sexual response cycle different for the different gender
It is the same for females and males
41
What factors impact on sexual behaviour
Length of time with partner: decreases longer you’re with partner Cultural norms influence sexual-related activity and importance of chastity varies
42
What is interpersonal attraction influenced by?
- Proximity and nearness - Similarity - Reciprocity (give and take) - Level of physical attraction
43
Sex differences in attraction?
Males: go for looks and a younger mate Women: financial resources and older mates Both want intelligence, dependability and kindness
44
How to people rate an average face?
The more average a face in - the more highly rated it is This holds up against cultures
45
Why do people like an average face?
More symmetrical but also may indicate a general preference for more familiar stimuli
46
What is sternbergs triangular theory of love?
Three major elements: intimacy, commitment and passion = consummate love
47
Explain liking (triangular theory)
Liking: There’s intimacy but no passion or commitment here
48
Explain infatuation (triangular theory)
Infatuation: Here, there’s passion but no intimacy or commitment
49
What is empty love (triangular love)
Empty love: This is what people have who are committed but share no passion or intimacy.
50
What is fatuous love (triangular theory)?
Fatuous love: This is the highest level of commitment and passion but it offers low levels of intimacy
51
What is compassionate love (triangular theory)?
Companionate love: This form of love is being committed and intimate but lacking in passion
52
What is consummate love? (Triangular theory)
Consummate love: this form is the total package: high passion, strong commitment, and deep intimacy. This has got to be “consuming.”
53
What does Sternberg suggest that hate consists of?
Negation of intimacy Passion Commitment And combinations lead to different types of hatred All 3 = burning hatred
54
What is achievement motivation?
The need to be successful to avoid failure
55
What do high achievers do?
- Select tasks that are reasonable difficult but attainable - Tend to be more persistent and take more pride in achieving - Tend to attribute past success to themselves and past failure to external factors High achieving ≠ greater ability
56
What does achievement motivation include?
Performance goals - desire to attain a certain level and focussed on outcome
57
What are approach goals?
Motivation is desire to achieve goal
58
What are avoidance goals?
Motivation is a fear of failure
59
What are mastery goals?
Desire to improve ability and skills, more intrinsic value
60
What happens when motivation goes into overdrive?
Addiction.
61
What are the physical dependence theories of addiction?
- Physical dependence is the cycle of taking the drug, trying to stop, restarting due to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
62
What are the problems with the physical dependence theory of addiction?
Some drugs have few withdrawal symptoms Many people with addiction will have an irregular drug taking routine
63
What is the positive-incentive theories of addiction?
Anticipation and craving of the positive effects associated with taking the substance
64
What is the incentive-sensitisation theory?
The more a drug is used, the greater the positive incentive value becomes explains why addicted people crave drugs even when they have developed tolerance to the drug
65
Reward pathways and drug addiction?
For drugs of dependence, reward pathways are initially activated (dopamine released) during drug use and later by even the expectation of receiving the drug (drug cues)

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