Ch. 12 – Motivation and Emotion

Theories of Motivation

Theories of Motivation• Instinct Theory• Drive-Reduction• Incentive Theory• Cognitive Theory

Motivation• Internal state that activates behavior and

directs it towards a goal.

1. Instinct Theory innate tendencies determine human behavior

2. Drive Reduction TheoryDrive – state of tension produced by a need –motivates an organism towards a goalNeed – bio. or psycho. requirement of an organism – ex. Oxygen/food/social approval

Homeostasis – tendency of organisms to correct imbalances/deviations from normal state

3. Incentive Theory – organisms are motivated by incentives

• Incentive - External stimulus, reinforcer, or reward that motivates behavior – stresses environmental factors

4. Cognitive Theory – How an organisms thinking influences behavior

• Extrinsic Motivation – activities that either reduce biological needs or obtain incentives/rewards

• Intrinsic motivation – activities that are personally rewarding or fulfill beliefs/expectations

• “Mentalism” – Mental states are to behavior as cause is to effect.

Ch. 12.2 Biological and Social Motives

• Hunger (drive)/Food (need) – example – page 321Lateral Hypothalamus – produces hunger signals Ventromedial Hypothalamus – Signal to stop eating

Biological Motives• Food• Water• Oxygen• Sleep• Avoid pain• Others?

Social Motives

• Need to excel• Need for social bonds• Need for fun• Others?

Some studies on motivation…

• Eating – Schachter – Overweight people respond to external cues; normal weight people respond to internal cues…

• Fear of success – Horner – Write a story “After first term finals, John finds himself…top of his class” 90% of men predicted success for “Anne” when substituted for John, 65% of women predicted failure for Anne.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self Actualization Needs

Psychological Needs

Fundamental (Physical) Needs

Emotions

• Set of complex reactions to stimuli involving subjective feelings, physiological arousal, and observable behavior

Expressing Emotions – 3 parts – Physical, Behavioral, Cognitive

Psychological Theories• Arguments for Biologically Based Emotions1. Universal Expressions of Emotions Across Cultures2. Blind/deaf children laughing/smiling3. Difficulty hiding true emotions• James-Lange theory – emotions perceptions of

internal bodily changes• Canon-Bard Theory – argued (incorrectly)

thalamus was center of emotions (limbic system is…amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus)

Cognitive Theories

• Reacting to social cues (Schacter/Singer Experiment…injections of adrenaline)

• Opponent processing – sympathetic and parasympathetic balance emotions in homeostasis

Opponent-Process Theory