Motivation and Emotion Created by David Silverman
Theories of Motivation Motivations are the feelings or ideas that cause us to act towards a goal. They can be obvious/conscious or subtle/indirect. Drive Reduction Theory says our physiological/biological needs motivate us. A need is a requirement for survival (eat, sleep) Homeostasis- the state that our body seeks (a balanced internal state). When we are out of homeostasis, we start having needs that drive us. Primary Drives- biological needs like thirst Secondary Drives- learned drives that help support the primary drives (making money in order to eat or buy shelter) Arousal Theory- says that we seek levels of excitement (arousal) and we can be motivated to get to these levels. Yerkes- Dodson Law- shows the relationship of performance to level of arousal.- Depending on an individual s optimum levels- these needs vary. Someone with high optimum levels are drawn to high excitement behavior (motorcycles, sky diving), where someone with low levels might get just as excited about reading a book. Opponent Process Theory- (similar to Arousal Theory) says that most people are at an average baseline state. Then we feel motivations, stray from this and those actions have an effect. This theory is used to explain addictive behaviors. Incentive Theory- Sometimes behaviors aren t pushed by a need but rather pulled by a desire with rewards and punishments EX- If you know that you will get better grades if you study alone- than you are motivated to study alone (even if it s less fun)
Maslow s Theory (Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs)- Abraham Maslow pointed out that not all needs are created and weighed equally. He used his Hierarchy of Needs to predict how people prioritize their needs.
Motivations- Hunger Motivation Biology (physiology) of Hunger Part of the hunger feeling is the stomach being inflated or not. The other part is monitored in the hypothalamus- regulating chemistry (including the ratio of glucose/insulin) and tells us when to feel hunger. Laternal hypothalamus- (the hunger center) is stimulated and it activates the feeling of hunger. When this gets damaged in animals they need to be forced to eat or they will starve (late to dinner so you re HUNGRY) Ventromedial hypothalamus- is stimulated to turn OFF the feeling of hunger. This makes us stop eating. When this gets damaged in an animal, they continue to eat without feeling full. The brain goes back and forth between stimulating these two areas. (On and off switch for hunger). When our brain uses our weight, metabolism, and other factors to figure out which signals to send the hypothalamus, this is called set point theory. Metabolic Rate- how quickly our body uses energy. People with high metabolic rates burn and use more energy than someone with low rates.
Psychology of Hunger- we get affected by internal and external motivations that trigger hunger outside of our physiology. The Garcia Effect- taste aversion.negative experiences can create associations that effect hunger EX: food from our own culture doesn't sound gross to us but might sound unappealing to other cultures (blood sausage) Three Most Common Eating Disorders- Bulimia- binging and purging. Purging can include laxatives, vomiting, or excessive exercise. Damaging teeth, the esophagus, intestines and stomach. Anorexia Nervosa- Anorexics starve themselves (to below 85% of their normal body weight) by refusing to eat. Damages internal organs, hair/skin quality, and reproductive health. Obesity- People diagnosed with obesity are severely overweight (often by 100 or more pounds) and have serious health problems as a result.
Motivations- Social Social Motivation- these are motivations that are dependent on our culture and environment. The attitudes and the goals of people around you highly effect your motivations. Achievement Motivation Vs Optimum Arousal- Some have high both (they can overlap) Achievement Motivation means you are doing something for yourself (meeting a goal, gaining a skill) Arousal Motivation doing something for the feeling (the feeling we may get from a roller coaster). Extrinsic Motivation Vs Intrinsic Motivation- Extrinsic Motivations- rewards that we get for accomplishing something (a kid gets a sticker) Intrinsic Motivations- rewards we get internally (feeling good, proud, or excited without a reward) Management Theory- Intrinsic/Extrinsic motivations explain how people manage others Theory X- Managers believe that employees will only work for reward, incentive, or bonus. Or when threatened with punishment Theory Y- Managers believe that employees are internally motivated to do good work, so policies should encourage intrinsic motivation.
Motivations- Conflicts Amongst Motives CONFLICT between Motives- when you can t make a decision Approach-Approach Conflicts- When you have two desirable outcomes but they still conflict. EX- You have to pick one of two delicious items on a menu Avoidance-Avoidance Conflicts- The opposite of the above- when you have to choose between two undesirable outcomes. EX- Your route home will either take an hour or you have to go through construction and rush-hour. Approach Avoidance Conflicts- When there is mixed reasoning on an option. In some ways it sounds appealing and some ways it doesn t. EX- You re lactose intolerant but ice cream sounds delicious. The taste of ice cream is appealing but the effects on your body are not. Multiple Approach Avoidance Conflict- When the decision making process involves many appealing or unappealing options. EX- choosing schools considers cost, programs, proximity to home/friends/boyfriend/girlfriend, etc
Emotions and Stress Theories on Emotions- our emotions are entwined with our motivations. Emotions influence motivations. There are many theories on emotional states James-Lange Theory- by William James and Carl Lange- stated that we feel emotions because of biological changes caused by stress. (EX: the wolf jumps out of the woods, Little Red Riding hood heart starts to race- she starts to feel the emotion of fear). Cannon-Bard Theory- by Walter Cannon and Phillip Bard (contradicted above) Stated that similar physiological effects can happen from different types of stress. EX: how do we know that her heart is just racing out of fear? It could be leading to excitement or joy or love. Two-Factor Theory- by Stanley Schachter- states that emotion depends on both the interaction between two factors (biology and cognition). EX: if Red s already afraid- the wolf jumping out would scare her more than someone who was at a resting state. This shows that both our cognitive labels on the event (is the wolf scary?) and our physical response (were we already out of breath?) are effecting emotions.
Non-verbal Expressions of Emotion Stress can refer to the things/events/people in our life causing the emotion (stressors) or it can refer to how we respond to that (stress reactions). Measuring Stress- Seyle s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)- Our response patterns to many different physical and emotional stresses is very consistent. STRESS STAGES: Alarm Reaction- heart rate increase, blood starts moving. Nervous system activated Resistance- The body remains physically ready (our body can keep releasing hormones to extend this period) Exhaustion- Our physiological system is worn out by the stress and our bodies are more susceptible to disease. Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe designed one of the first tools to measure stress Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)- a tool that measures (LCU s) Lifechanging units. A person taking the SRRS would report any changes in life with a move or a new job. New life changes increase the LCUs during the SRRS. You could score high on the test with positive or negative stress (getting married and getting fired could look the same).
Resources Discovering Psychology Motivation and Emotion Crash Course Psychology The Power of Motivation References This powerpoint presentation was adapted using information from the Barron s AP Psychology 5th edition prep book. Weseley, Allyson, Robert McEntarffer, and Robert McEntarffer.AP Psychology. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barron's Educational Series, 2014. Print. Fineburg, A., & Myers, D. (2010). Myers' Psychology for AP*: Teacher's edition (Teacher's ed.).new York: Worth /BFW.