Motivation & Emotion Chapters 12 & 13

Motivation Includes psychological and physiological factors that cause us to act a certain way. Also defined as a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

Motivation Theories Instinct Theory Popular in the early 1900s William James Are jealousy, curiosity, cleanliness instincts? Flaw? Attempts to label and explain behavior using the same terms Current ideas

Motivation Theories Drive Reduction Theory We do things because we have to fulfill a need (can be psychological or physiological). Role of Homeostasis Maintaining a normal, balanced state Flaw

Motivation Theories Arousal Theory Each of us can be exposed to the same set of stressors and have a different reaction. Yerkes-Dodson law – The theory that a degree of psychological arousal helps performance, but only up to a certain point. Maintaining our own optimal level of arousal is key.

Motivation Theories Incentive Theory – stresses the role of the environment in motivating behavior (goals, reinforcers, rewards) Cognitive Theory Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation Which is best? Danger…Overjustification

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Hunger Nature continued Biological – maintain homeostasis Insulin/glucose Thyroxine/Leptin Lateral hypothalamus (LH) vs. Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH) Set point

Hunger Nurture: Psychological Taste Preference: Biology or Culture? Bored / Stressed – linked with serotonin

Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Characterized by: Refusal to eat Extreme weight loss Lack of proper nutrition Fear of gaining weight Distorted body image Possible psychological explanations: Refusal to grow up Asserting control over their own lives

Eating Disorders Bulimia Nervosa Characterized by: Binge eating followed by purging Excessive concern about body shape and weight Hiding purging behaviors Often experiences depression, anxiety, or mood swings Possible psychological explanations: Feelings of alienation Need for approval

Other Motivating Factors Sexual Motivation Kinsey Sexual Response Cycle (Masters and Johnson) Sexual Orientation (LeVay) Hypothalamus

Other Motivating Factors Achievement motivation Flow Industrial/Organizational Psych Satisfaction Leadership Task Social Theory X and Theory Y

Emotions Expressing Emotions results from four occurrences You must interpret stimulus Feeling Physiological response ( rate) Display behavior

Emotions Cross Cultural Facial expressions are universal Body Language is culturally specific

Theories of Emotions James-Lange Theory Cannon-Bard Theory Bodily response (Heart Rate) leads to Emotion (Fear) Snodgrass and Smile theory Kasimatis and Frey (frowning experiment) Cartoon experiment (Strack) Cannon-Bard Theory Emotion (Fear) happens at the same time as the bodily response (heart rate)

Theories of Emotions Schacter and Singer (Two Factor Theory) Bodily response (heart rate) along with thinking (I’m afraid) yields the emotional response Opponent Process Theory (Lazarus) Sympathetic/Parasympathetic Nervous System

Updates to Emotion theories Le Doux – Emotion can be a reflex (fear pathway) Two Dimensions of Emotion Pleasant/Unpleasant (emotional valence) Low arousal/high arousal

Emotion Polygraph debate Is it effective? Alternatives Brain scans

Emotions Fear Anger Happiness Can be adaptive and dangerous Catharsis Feel good-do good phenomenon Subjective well-being Adaptation-level phenomenon Relative deprivation