Unit 10: Motivation and Emotion
In studying motivation, students learn about the forces that influence the strength and direction of
behavior. They discover that although early theories of motivation focused on internal instincts, needs,
and drives, later theories acknowledged the role of external incentives. Students also learn that more
recent theories conceptualize motives into at least two distinct types: primary motives- such as hunger,
thirst, pain, and sex- psychologists have identified many of the neural and hormonal mechanisms that are
associated with the motivational state. The motives for sex and aggression appear to be more complex
than those for hunger and thirst.
The study of emotion centers on the complex interactions between brain and body that are
associated with feelings of love, hate, fear, and jealousy. Different theories such as James-Lang,
Cannon-Bard, Schacter-Singer, and opponent-process theory- provide different explanations of the
relationship between physiological changes and emotional experiences. A currently important concept
related to emotion and motivation is stress.
AP students in psychology should be able to do the following:
• Identify and apply basic motivational concepts to understand the behavior of humans and other animals
(e.g. instincts, incentives, intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation).
• Discuss the biological underpinnings of motivation, including needs, drives, and homeostasis .
• Compare and contrast motivational theories including the strengths and weaknesses of each
(e.g. drive reduction theory, arousal theory, general adaptation theory).
• Describe classic research findings in specific motivation systems (e.g. eating, sex, social)
• Discuss theories of stress and the effects of stress on psychological and physical well-being.
• Compare and contrast major theories of emotion e.g. James–Lange, Cannon– Bard, Schachter two-factor theory.
• Describe how cultural influences shape emotional expression, including variations in body language.
• Identify key contributors in the psychology of motivation and emotion
(e.g. William James, Alfred Kinsey, Abraham Maslow, Stanley Schachter, Hans Selye).
Reading Assignements: Myers- Chapter 11 “Motivation and Work” pgs. 443-495
Chapter 12 “Emotions, Stress, and Health” pgs. 497-551
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Classic Inspirational Speeches
Why do people go to college?
Motivational Theories
1.
Instinct Theory
2.
Drive-Reduction Theory
3.
Arousal Theory
4.
Incentive Theory
Reading Assignment: Myers- Chapter 11 “Motivation and Work” pp. 443-451
Handouts:
“Theories of Motivation” and “Self-Actualization Inventory”
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Motivational Theories Continued
1.
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation
2.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
3.
Scene from “Alive”
Reading Assingment: Myers- Chap. 11, pp. 451-458
Handouts:
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Survey of Eating Habits
Body Image Survey
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Physiology and Psychology of Hunger
1.
The Brain and Hunger
2.
Weight Gain and Loss
3.
Obesity
Reading Assignment: Myers- Chap. 11, pp. 458-465
Handout: “One Spoonful at a Time”
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Eating Disorders
1.
Anorexia Nervosa
2.
Bulimia Nervosa
3.
Body Image
Reading Assingment: Myers, Chap. 11, pp. 465-478
Handout: “Sexual Opinion Survey”
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Sexual Motivation
1.
Sexual Response System
2.
Sexual Orientation
Reading Assignemt: Myers- Chap. 11, 478-493
Handout: “Improving Motivation in Sports – Self Efficacy”
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Who Committed the Crime?
Theories of Emotion
1.
James-Lang
2.
Cannon-Bard
3.
Schacter’s Two-Factor
Reading Assignment: Myers- Chap. 12 “Emotions, Stress and Health” pp. 497-507
Handout:
“Theories of Emotion”
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Physiology of Emotions
1.
Arousal
2.
Theories of Emotion Wkst.
Reading Assignment: Myers- Chap. 12, pp. 507-514
Handout:
PANAS Wkst.
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Expressing Emotions
1.
Nonverbal Comm
2.
Expression of Emotion Activity
3.
Facial Expression: Ekman’s Research--Lie to Me.
4.
Spot the Fake Smile
Reading Assignment: Myers- Chap. 12, pp. 514-526
Handout: “Facial Expression: Not Global”
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Experiencing Emotion
1.
Anger--“Fried Green Tomatoes”
2.
Fear
3.
Happiness
Handout:
“Emotions Questionnaire”
Reading Assignment: Myers- Chap. 12, pp. 527-534
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The Scope of Health Psychology
Stress/ Personal Factors/ Cognitive Factors/ Environmental Factors/ Socio-cultural Factors
Reading Assignment: Myers- Chap. 12, pp. 534-542

Conflict and Stress
Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
Coping With Illness--Symptoms/ Patient/ Treatment
Reading Assignment: Myers, Chap. 12, pp. 542-551
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Promoting Health: Smoking/ Eating Problems/ Exercise
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Preview Exam for “Motivation and Emotion”
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Unit Exam for “Motivation and Emotion”