Motivation- exam2

Question 1

instinct theory

Answer 1

*think evolutionary purpose
- things in the environment are “releasers” that lead to instinctual pre-programmed responses (fixed response patterns that are innate)
- ex: baby feels touch on lips, starts sucking

Question 2

drive reduction theory

Answer 2

• the notion that physiological needs arouse tension that motivates action
• biological need –> tension, need to do something to reduce it –> fulfill need –> repeat
• ex: hungry, so find food

Question 3

arousal theory

Answer 3

• strive to maintain an optimal level of arousal (seek stimulation if bored, relaxation if excited)
• yerkes-dodson law: performance increases with arousal but only to a certain point; after that point, performance decreases; moderate levels of arousal lead to optimal performance

Question 4

incentive theory

Answer 4

• rewards and punishments associated with different activity
• intrinsic incentive: activities that are nice unto themselves (eating, watching cartoons)
• extrinsic: activities with external rewards or punishments (working, doing chores)

Question 5

maslow’s hierarchy of needs- order

Answer 5

TAEBSP
1. self transcendence
2. self actualization
3. esteem
4. belongingness and love
5. safety
6. physiological

Question 6

physiological needs: hunger

Answer 6

• Hypothalamus Regulation: Lateral hypothalamus (LH) triggers hunger; Ventromedial hypothalamus (VH) signals satiation. (ex: fat rat had damage to VH; you would starve if LH is destroyed)
• Glucose & Insulin: Low blood glucose triggers hunger; insulin from the pancreas regulates glucose levels after eating.
• Hormonal Signals: Ghrelin (hunger), leptin (diminishes food reward), and obestatin/PPY (fullness) communicate hunger or satiation to the brain.

Question 7

fallon and rozin study of bodyweight and self image

Answer 7

• studied 500 UPenn students
• Women perceived their ideal weight as less than their actual weight, while men’s ideal and actual weight were more closely aligned.
• Women also believed men preferred thinner women than men actually did.
• This study highlights gender differences in body image perception and societal pressures on women.
• bodyweight largely genetic

Question 8

belongingness motives

Answer 8

• Loneliness has a direct physiological impact, increasing vulnerability to illness; social pain shares neural pathways with physical pain, and Tylenol lessens both.
• The need for affiliation drives the desire for social contact, while the need for intimacy focuses on close relationships with open communication.
• Self-disclosure is typically reciprocal, grows over time, and influences honesty; women disclose more and elicit more disclosure than men.

Question 9

achievement motivation

Answer 9

Strong desire to accomplish difficult tasks, outperform others, and excel

Question 10

intrinsic motivation

Answer 10

• Intrinsic motivation can decrease when external rewards (like payment) are introduced for tasks people already enjoy.
• In a study, college students who were paid for puzzle-solving spent less time on the task during breaks.
• This suggests that external rewards can undermine intrinsic interest in an activity.