Unit 8A Motivation Flashcards
Motivation
A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior
Instinct
A complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned
Drive-reduction Theory
The idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need
Homeostasis
A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level
Incentives
They are positive or negative environmental stimuli that motivates behaviors (Ex. You smell cookies baking and now want to feed your need to eat)
Optimal arousal
The motivation to seek optimum levels of arousal
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Difficult or challenging tasks cause arousal to be lower, and easy tasks cause arousal to be higher
Incentive theories
External stimuli “push” people to positive incentives and “pull” people away from negative incentives
What is a hierarchy of needs?
Beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher-level safety needs and then psychological needs become active
Who created the concept of a hierarchy of needs?
Abraham Maslow
Glucose
The form of sugar that circulated in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissues
What is the role of the lateral hypothalamus (the sides of the hypothalamus)?
It brings on hunger, so if it is destroyed then even starving animals won’t be hungry
What is the role of the ventromedial hypothalamus (lower mid-hypothalamus)? What happens if it is destroyed?
It depresses hunger. Stimulate this area and an animal will stop eating; destroy it and the animals stomach and intestines will process food more rapidly, causing it to become extremely fat.
Insulin
Secreted by pancreas; controls blood glucose
Leptin
Secreted by fat cells; when abundant, causes brain to increase metabolism and decrease hunger
Orexin
Hunger triggering hormone secreted by hypothalamus
Ghrelin
Secreted by empty stomach; sends “I’m hungry” signals to the brain
Obestatin
Secreted by stomach; sends out “I’m full” signals to the brain
PYY
Digestive tract hormone; sends “I’m not hungry” signals to the brain