Motivation (Ch. 9) Flashcards
motives
forces that move us to act and not act in certain ways
what causes motives?
a desire to maintain homeostasis (altering behavior to maintain desired range of internal body environment), internal equilibrium
drive
internal tension from deviation in homeostasis.
what is drive’s relationship to motivation
it is the drive-reduction account of motivation
is homeostasis only for changes in real-time?
no, we can even anticipate changes in homeostasis that impact our actions as we prepare for them (ex. packing gloves for a ski trip even if hot outside).
pain matrix
distributed set of brain regions (including the amygdala) underlying sensory and emotional components of pain (associated response usually withdrawal)
pain’s motivators (avoidance)
avoidance of pain (specific info –> specific response).
pain’s motivators (seek)
necessary to endure pain to reach goals, pain proof trying (pain in running). NSSI (non-suicidal self-injury)
pain’s motivators (just byproduct)
unfortunate byproduct of achieving goals (studying –> headache)
escape from self, hypothesis
physical pain focuses someone’s attention on the injury and decreases awareness of their broader life, concerns outside the pain
incentives
goals seek to achieve
types of incentives
intrinsically rewarding: incentive part of the activity itself (ex. playing basketball). extrinsically rewarding: drawn not to activity itself (ex. getting paid for mowing)
why are incentives different than pain?
separate considerations for anticipating and receiving pleasure (used fMRI to confirm that different parts of the brain are associated with wanting and getting a reward)
glucostatic hypothesis
hunger and eating are regulated by body’s maintenance of blood glucose levels
dual-center theory
2 centers of hypothalmus regulate feelings of hunger and fullness (lateral hypothalamus – go) (ventromedial hypothalamus – stop)
how does the body regulate what we eat
stomach signals the impact of whether and what we eat (ex. need to increase protein, rat chooses protein over carbs)
lipostatic hypothesis
long-term energy balance. when fat stores deviate from target levels, the body acts to maintain homeostasis.
how does the body signal to the brain its full?
full fat cells secrete the hormone leptin in the bloodstream which is sensed by the hypothalmus.
body weight set point
caloric point in animals which the body maintains a certain weight, even with a change in dietary intake
metabolic rate
rate body uses energy
environmental factors that impact eating
smell/ sight of “yummy” food, unit bias-size of what counts as a single portion (ex. larger in the US that other countries), social contexts, cultural standards (beauty standards)
what are some ways cultural contexts can impact the amount someone eats
when eat in a group, usually eat more than eating alone. usually women eat less when eating with men than with other women
anorexia nervosa
an eating disorder associated with an intense fear of gaining weight. Usually have a disturbance of how they view their own body and think their fat, even though they’re dangerously thin.
how do people act when have anorexia nervosa
extreme dieting, excessive exercise, purging of food
bulimia nervosa
same as anorexia nervosa (intense fear of gaining weight) but usually have normal weight but view themselves as fat
how do people act when have bulimia nervosa
binge eating and compensatory behavior because of guilt so they don’t gain weight (vomiting, excessive exercise. etc.)
why do people have nervosa eating disorders?
some genetic component
body mass index (BMI)
person’s weight in kg/ height squared in m (to determine if someone is overweight)
what is the impact of obesity on health?
classified as global epidemic, leads to diabetes, cardiovascular disease
thrifty gene hypothesis
evolutionary hypothesis that natural selection favors individuals with efficient metabolism that maximize fat storage
why do we have genes that maximize food storage?
helpful in the past because it meant that people were able to get food and make it last, but not helpful today, h/e evolution is much slower than real progress today
estrus
mammal’s period of sexual receptivity, frequency depends on species
do women have an estrus period?
only slightly, there is some evidence a women’s sexual desire is increased during ovulation, however its not very impactful, likely remaining part of long-ago action with evolutionary changes (humans less automatic in sexual desires)
what is the hormonal impact on sexual desires?
men with higher testosterone levels than women usually have a greater sexual drive
what are the phases of the sexual response cycle?
- excitement phase (HR, BP, muscle tension increase, erect penis, swollen clitoris, lubricant vagina). 2. plateau phase (slower rate of increase BP/ HR, muscle tightens and base of penis & vagina). 3. orgasm phase (greater arousal, rhythmic muscle contractions, ejaculation and vaginal contractions). 4. resolution phase (HR, BP drop, muscles settle).
what is the refractory phase for men?
phase after orgasm (length depends on time) when men can’t orgasm
what are the short-term implications of viewing sexually explicit material?
increases the likelihood of engaging in sexual behavior?
what are the long-term implications of viewing sexually explicit material?
no real consensus, some say decreases sexual satisfaction or uncertainty, but also contradictory evidence
when are people’s sexual orientations first presented?
as a child, evident from sexual conformity when young, sexual attraction, etc.
is there a genetic impact on sexual orientation?
yes, (ex. if identical twin gay, more likely to be gay) however, not entire story
neurodevelopmental perspective
sexual orientation is built in the circuitry of our brains from a fetal age
what are indicators of sexual orientation (along the neurodevelopmental perspective)?
handedness (left-handed/ ambidextrous, increases likelihood of being gay), fraternal birth order effect (more older brothers a man has, more likely he is to be gay)
explanation of the fraternal birth order effect?
maybe because each male a mother carries has an effect on the immune system of child and thus the brain development
why are we motivated to act in ways that increase our sense of belonging?
loneliness –> depression and greater physical health problems
what positive impact do we gain from being with others
a cycle of positive emotion leading to greater social interaction (and vice-versa)
performance orientation
focuses on performing well and looking smart (fear of failure). associated with a fixed mindset
mastery orientation
focuses on learning and improving (desire for success). associated with a growth mindset
Maslow’s hierarchy of motives
order of dominance of thoughts, we strive to meet higher order motives even if the lower one’s aren’t met. (although obviously some exceptions, ex. not becoming life-long dream of being artist bc not making enough money to feed yourself)
what are the parts of the hierarchy of motives?
- self-transcendence (cause beyond self, truth, justice, religion)
- self-actualization (living to full potential, aspirations, and dreams)
- esteem (good self-opinion, accomplishments, reputation)
- belonging (acceptance, friendship)
- safety (security, protection, freedom from threats)
- physiological (hunger, thirst, warmth, shelter, air, sleep)
