Motivation and Emotion Chapter 6 Dustin Stevenson Sylvie Langbehn Cory Brown

Definitions Motivation – Generally thought of as the study of the directional and energizing aspects of behavior Emotion – Defined by its effective tone. Either positive or negative, never neutral.

Summary Emotion causes motivation Motives and emotions are evolutionary adaptations − JUST LIKE OUR OPPOSABLE THUMBS! Motivation and emotions are all equally biological, but not equally important.

Summary Motives are influenced by learning but are primarily biological. Ekmans five basic emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness and sadness. There are most likely many more. An angry face is more easily detected than a happy one.

Summary We cannot be happy all the time. Social emotions evolved to motivate social behaviors. Self esteem is our perceived status in the community.

Testosterone ROCKS! Influences dominant and aggressive behavior in men. Violence Does NOT rock!

From the book… “In summary, an evolutionary approach illuminates how emotion and motivation help us solve the many problems of survival and reproduction that existed in the EEA”

Major Points! 1.) Motivation and emotion are indelibly connected. 2.) All motives and emotions are primarily biological. 3.) It is in the best interest of ones genes to easily detect anger.

Weak Points in Text 1.) The case of instinct 2.) Recalibration of emotion

Quiz Time!

And the Winner is…

“Why Men, Not Women, Start Wars” Men go for quantity while women strive for quality. Women don’t endanger lives to risk neglecting offspring. Men need to demonstrate genetic fitness.

FIN