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INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 201
Dr. Rosalyn l\tl. King
MOTIVATION AND EMOTION -(Summary Handout)
I.
Early and Current Theories of Motivation
A.
Instinct Theory - animals are born with preprogrammed tendencies to respond to certain situations in certain
ways. Evolutionary theory has replaced this. According to evolutionary psychologist, all organisms, including
humans are "gene-producing machines" with the basic motivation of perpetuating their own genetic pool. In
short, our genes predispose us to act in 'vays that enhyance their chances of surviving and spreading. This
motive underlies all behavior.
B
Drive Reduction Theory - Behavior is driven by basic biological needs that must be satisfied or minimized.
The aim of drive reduction is homeostasis. Contrary to what drive theory seems to suggest, human beings
often engage in actions that tend to increase rather than reduce various drives.
C.
Cognitive Theories - Beliefs, Expectancies, & Explanations. Also influenced by self-determination. Includes
Bernard Weiner's attributional theory (people who attribute their successes to their own abilities and failures to
their lack of effort are more motivated to work toward goals); Also Sandra Bern, Leon Festinger and Julian
Rotter's theories.
D.
Humanistic Theories -behavior motivated by desire for personal growth (Maslow). People act aggresively
when needs not met. Maslow's self-actualization theory.
E.
Arousal Theory- We seek to attain optimal levels of arousal rather than reduce a physiological need or
minimize tension.
F.
Incentive Theory - attempts to explain why there is an e:demal need to motivate behavior.
G.
Opponent Process Theory - increases in arounsal ultimately produce a calming reaction in the nervous
system. Involves the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic).
H.
Expectancy Value Theory - Motivation depends largely on the values we placed on our e:-q>ectations and on
our expectations of attaining certain outcomes. (Applied to work motivation.)
II.
Physiological Drives
A.
Hunger (learned and physiological; learned cues - receptors in liver regulate hunger).
The ventromedial hypothalamus depresses hunger. Electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus
stops eating. Lesions to the ventromedial nucleus in the hypothalamus will cause a rat to become
hvperphagic (obese) to increase appetite.
The lateral hypothalamus brings on hunger. Electrical stimulation to the lateral hypothalamus causes eating.
Lesions to the lateral hypothalamus will cause an animal to stop eating and become aphagic (thin).
Eating disorders include: anorexia nervosa. bulimia and obesity.
B.
Thirst (kidneys and hypothalamus regulate thirst: kidneys secrete angiotensin). Brain also involved and can
become fluid depleted causing the osmoreceptor cells to shrivel and trigger thirst. Hypothalamus may instruct
the pituitary glands to secrete the antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH causes the kidneys to reabsorb urine as a
water consen·ation measure.
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C.
Stimulus Motives - the need for heightened stimulation, activity, exploration and manipulation of the
environment. Includes sensory stimulation activity, exploration, and manipulation. (Examples include sky
diving, windsurfing etc.) Can also be physiological in nature.
D.
Yerkes-Dodson Law - The principal that a high level of motivation increases efficiency in the performance of
simple tasks, whereas a lower level of motivation permits greater efficiency in the performance of complex
tasks.
III.
Social Motives (Student supply defmitions)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Need for Achievement
Need for Affiliation
Need for Power
Need for Social Approval
Need for Recognition
Need for Dominance
Need for Order
Need for Thrill-Seeking
IV.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
A.
B.
Intrinsic - Need no incentives. Need to demonstrate competence.
Extrinsic - Prompted by rewards and incentives.
V.
Emotion
A.
Affective states - can have situation al behavioral and cognitive components (autonomic nervous system).
B.
Functions:
1.
2.
3.
C.
Developmental Origins
l.
D.
Preparing us for action.
Shaping our future behavior.
Helping us to regulate social interaction.
3 Theories: Katherine Bridges (1932) - Outlined the emotions experienced by newborn infants;
Alan Stroufe ( 1979) - expanded Bridges theory, indicated that cognitive development may provide
the basis for emotional development; Carroll Izard - Added a social dimension to emotional
development. Said that infants are born with discrete emotional states, the timing of which are linked
to the child' s cognitive development and social experiences.
Theories of Emotion
l.
James-Lange Theory - Emotion is the result of perceiving our arousal and behavior. Our emotions
follow, rather than cause our overt behavioral responses to events.
2.
Canon-Bar d Theory - An.event triggers bodily responses (arousal and action) and the e:>..i>erience o~
the emotion simultaneously.
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E.
3.
Theory of Cognitive Appraisal (Schacter-Singer Theory) - Our emotion depends on our appraisal
of the situation.
4.
The Opponent-Process Theory - states that once a particular emotional reaction has been activated,
the brain tries to achieve homeostatsis by initiating the opposite reaction.
5.
Contextual Theory - attributes the intensity of an emotion to feedback from physiological processes
and the nature of the emotion in relation to the contex1 in which it occurs.
·
6.
Facial Feedback Hypothesis - the intensity of an emotion is strengthened when it is accompanied by
muscular activity and weakened when it is not accompanied by such activity. The facial feedback
hypothesis states that "feedback from facial expression affects emotional expression and behavior."
The Emotion of Love
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Agape Love - highest form: selfless giving to others; authentic; originates from the heart.
Pb.ilos Love - brotherly sisterly love of one for his or her friend, fellow man or woman.
Storge Love - an affectional familial love symbolic of the bond of friendship between family
members.
Eros Love - the love of the senses or emotional body - sexual. Sometimes called romantic love.
Epithumia Love - l_ust passion, deisire for forbidden pleasure.
Mania Love - possessive love.
. Pragma Love - pragmatic or logical love.
Ludus Love - game-playing love.
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