AP Psychology Chapter 12 Review – Motivation and Work
Motivation – a need or desire that energizes behavior and directs it towards a goal
4 perspectives on motivation:
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Instinct theory
Drive-reduction theory
Arousal theory
Hierarchy of needs
Instinct Theory
Instinct – a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned
- Although instinct theory failed to explain human motives, the underlying assumption that genes predispose
species-typical behavior remains as strong as ever.
Drive-Reduction Theory – the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an
organism to satisfy the need
Homeostasis – a tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry,
such as blood glucose, around a particular level
Incentives – a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates a behavior
Arousal Theory
- Human motivation aims to seek optimum levels of arousal, not to eliminate it. Having all our biological needs satisfied,
we feel driven to experience stimulation.
Hierarch of Needs – Maslow’s pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be
satisfied before higher-level safety needs and then psychological needs become active
- Abraham Maslow (1970) suggested that certain needs have priority over others. Physiological needs like breathing,
thirst, and hunger come before psychological needs such as achievement, self-esteem, and the need for recognition.
Hunger
Glucose – the form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissues. When its
level is low, we feel hunger.
- Stomach contractions (pangs) send signals to the brain making us aware of our hunger.
- Tsang (1938) removed rat stomachs, connected the esophagus to the small intestines, and the rats still felt hungry (and
ate food).
Lateral hypothalamus – brings on hunger. Stimulate this area and animal will begin to eat.
Ventromedial hypothalamus – depresses hunger. Stimulate this area and animal will stop eating.
Set-point Theory – the point at which an individual’s “weight thermostat” is supposedly set; when the body falls below
this weight, an increase in hunger and a lowered metabolic rate may act to restore the lost weight
Basal metabolic rate – the body’s resting rate of energy expenditure
Anorexia nervosa – a condition in which a normal-weight person (usually an adolescent woman) continuously loses
weight but still feels overweight
Bulimia nervosa – a disorder characterized by episodes of overeating, usually high-calorie foods, followed by vomiting,
using laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise
Obesity – a disorder characterized by being excessively overweight. Obesity increases the risk for health issues like
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and back problems.
Reasons for Eating Disorders:
 Sexual abuse – childhood sexual abuse does not cause eating disorders
 Family – younger generations develop eating disorders when raised in families in which weight is an excessive concern
 Genetics – twin studies show that eating disorders are more likely to occur in identical twins rather than fraternal twins
Sexual Motivation
- Sexual motivation is nature’s clever way of making people procreate, enabling our species to survive.
Sexual response cycle – the four stages of sexual responding described by Masters and Johnson—excitement, plateau,
orgasm, and resolution
 Excitement – Genitals become engorged with blood. Vagina expands secretes lubricant. Penis enlarges.
 Plateau – Excitement peaks such as breathing, pulse and blood pressure.
 Orgasm – Contractions all over the body. Increase in breathing, pulse & blood pressure. Sexual release.
 Resolution – Engorged genital release blood. Male goes through refractory phase. Women resolve slower.
Sexual Problems
- Men generally suffer from two kinds of sexual problems: premature ejaculation and erectile disorder. Women may
suffer from orgasmic disorders.
- These problems are not due to personality disorders and can be treated through behavior therapy and drugs such as
Viagra.
Sex hormones – 1) direct the physical development of male and female sex characteristics and 2) activate sexual behavior
Estrogen – a sex hormone, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males
Testosterone – the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional
testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex
characteristics during puberty
Sexual orientation – our enduring sexual attraction toward members of our own sex or the other sex
The Need to Belong
 Wanting to belong – the need to belong colors our thinking and emotions
 Social acceptance – a sense of belonging with others increases our self-esteem. Social segregation decreases it.
 Maintaining relationships – we resist breaking social bonds, even bad ones
 Ostracism – social exclusion leads to demoralization, depression, and at times nasty behavior
 Fortifying health – people who tend to have close friends are happier and healthier
Motivation at Work
Flow – a completely involved, focused state of consciousness, with diminished awareness of self and time, resulting from
optimal engagement of one’s skills. Flow marks immersion into one’s work.
Personnel psychology – studies the principles of selecting and evaluating workers
Organizational psychology – studies how work environments and management styles influence worker motivation,
satisfaction, and productivity
Task leadership – involves setting standards, organizing work, and focusing on goals.
Social leadership – involves mediating conflicts and building high achieving teams.