Unit 7 Flashcards
What are the three broad perspectives in motivation psychology?
Biological, Behavioral, and Cognitive
How does the cognitive perspective understand motivation?
It considers how perceptual, attentional, emotional, and memory processes interact in analyzing and interpreting environmental stimuli and thoughts.
What did Edward C. Tolman contribute to cognitive motivation theories?
He showed that animals do not just learn stimulus-response associations but also develop cognitive knowledge of their environment.
What is latent learning, according to Tolman?
Learning that occurs without immediate manifestation in behavior, meaning individuals can acquire knowledge without demonstrating it right away.
What is psychological distance in motivation?
It is an individual’s perception of the distance between their current state and a desired goal, influencing their motivation level.
How does psychological distance affect motivation?
The closer a person perceives their goal, the stronger their motivation to achieve it.
What is the difference between aspiration levels and expectations?
Aspiration levels represent what an individual wants to achieve, while expectations are their beliefs about their ability to achieve those goals.
What are values in Rotter’s Expectancy-Value Theory?
Values refer to how important a person considers a goal or outcome compared to other options.
What are expectancies in Rotter’s Expectancy-Value Theory?
They are beliefs about the likelihood that a certain behavior will lead to a specific outcome, shaped by past experiences.
According to Rotter, why might two people in the same situation act differently?
Because their values and expectancies differ, shaping their motivation and behavior.
How does the presence of others affect motivation and performance?
The presence of an audience can increase motivation and performance by activating energy resources.
What is the coercion effect in social motivation?
When competition or pressure from others increases a person’s motivation and performance.
What is the audience effect in social motivation?
When performance is enhanced simply due to the presence of observers.
How does the status of an observer influence motivation?
Higher-status observers increase response activation, leading to greater motivation and performance.
What is diffusion of responsibility?
A phenomenon where the presence of others decreases an individual’s sense of responsibility, reducing their likelihood of taking action.
How does diffusion of responsibility affect emergency situations?
Individuals are less likely to intervene in emergencies when others are present, assuming someone else will take responsibility.
What is conformity in social motivation?
The tendency of individuals to align their responses with the majority.
How does motivation level affect conformity?
Lower motivation levels make individuals more likely to conform to the majority.
What is obedience in social motivation?
The tendency to follow instructions from someone perceived as an authority figure.
What factor makes it easier to disobey authority?
If the action goes against one’s morals and the victims are psychologically or physically closer to the person.
What is cognitive consonance?
A harmonious relationship between thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
What is cognitive dissonance?
A conflicting relationship between thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, creating tension.
How can people reduce cognitive dissonance?
By modifying their beliefs, behaviors, or attitudes, reinterpreting them, seeking justification, or avoiding dissonance-inducing situations
What is flow in psychology?
A state of intense gratification and concentration experienced during engaging activities.
When is a flow state achieved?
When a challenging activity is balanced with an individual’s skill level, preventing frustration while maintaining interest.
What is the Reversal Theory in motivation?
A theory by Michael Apter stating that people switch between different motivational states depending on context.
What are Telic and Paratelic states in Reversal Theory?
- Telic state: Focused on achieving long-term goals with persistent effort.
- Paratelic state: Focused on immediate gratification without requiring prolonged effort.
How do Telic and Paratelic states alternate?
People switch between them based on their experiences and environmental factors.
