Motivation and Psychology: Instincts, Theories, and Emotions - Prof. Benjamin Sklar, Study notes of Psychology

Download Motivation and Psychology: Instincts, Theories, and Emotions - Prof. Benjamin Sklar and more Study notes Psychology in PDF only on Docsity! 1. What are instincts? When were they first studied? Behaviors that are genetically programmed into a species. 1870s by Wilhelm Wundt 2. What is intensity in motivation? Concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal 3. What is persistence in motivation? Continued effort toward a goal 4. What is activation in motivation? Decision to initiate a behavior 5. What are humanistic theories of motivation? Have free will and aren’t simply fated to behave in specific ways, how and why humans experience things (Ex. Reach self actualization) 6. What are instinct theories? Motivated to behave in certain ways because evolutionarily programmed to. (Ex. Seasonal migration for animals) 7. What are drive theories? Motivated to take certain actions in order to reduce tension caused by unmet needs (Ex. Motivated to drink water if you are thirsty) Flaw: Not always physiological needs 8. What is homeostasis? Need balance in life, when things are out of order, it causes problems and you try to fix it (Ex. Having a fever, body tries to return to normal temp to be back in order) 9. What is self actualization? Becoming all that you can be reaching your full potential (Few people do it) 10. What is glucose? Primary energy for brain, performs work of thoughts and behavior—low glucose= decrease in self-control, memory, and perhaps performance on difficult tasks 11. What is insulin? Hormone that has extensive effects on metabolism and other body functions, causes cells in liver, fat, and muscle to take glucose from blood and use as energy 12. What is ghrelin? Hormone lining the stomach that stimulate appetite, increase before meals and decrease after; counterpart of leptin 13. What is cholecystokinin (CCK)? Hormone in gastrointestinal system responsible for stimulating the digestion of fat and protein, secreted in first section (duodenum) of small intestine 14. What is leptin? Protein hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and spending; regulates appetite and metabolism. Binds to hypothalamus when you are full, no leptin gene=constant eating 15. What is set-point theory? Everyone’s body has a genetically determined range of weight and temperature that body will maintain to stay at optimal health. 16. What is sensation seeking? Tendency to pursue sensory pleasure and excitement, trait of people who go after novelty, complexity, and intensity. Thrill seekers & risk takers 17. What is achievement motivation Individuals need to meet realistic goals, receive feedback and experience sense of accomplishment. (Ex. Having deadlines at work, evaluations, bonuses) 18. What is arousal motivation? People take certain actions to either decrease or increase levels of arousal. (Ex. When low do something exciting, When high relax or do something calming) 19. What motivates us to eat? Ghrelin, hits the hindbrain (sensation of hunger) hypothalamus (rate of metabolism) and mesolimbic reward center (pleasure and satisfaction from food) 20. What is cognition? All mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, and remembering. Ideas, thoughts, and memories are cognitive processes. 21. What is an algorithm? Set of instructions for solving a problem or completing a problem. Step by Step 22. Heuristic? A rule of thumb, learned way to make judgments and solve problems (Ex. Coming to a stop sign you need to stop or you’ll get a ticket—when you see a stop sign you automatically stop) 23. What are concepts? Mental grouping of similar events, things, and people that is used to remember what things are, what they mean, and group they belong in (Ex. Someone says car, you picture a car and what it does and its purpose) 24. What is the single feature model? Making a decision by focusing on only one feature (Ex. Picking a shirt solely based on color) 25. What is the additive model? Systematically evaluate the important features of each alternative 26. What is problem solving? Mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems. Ultimate goal to overcome obstacles and find solution 27. What is the representativeness heuristic? Cognitive bias in which an individual categorizes a situation based on a pattern of previous experience or beliefs (Ex. Coin flips head 3 straight times, biased to believe it will be tails 4th, when in reality odds are the same) 28. What is the Elimination by aspects model? Rate choices based on features; eliminate those that do not meet the desired criteria, despite other desirable characteristics 29. What is the availability model? How easily something that you’ve seen or heard can be accessed in your memory. Tend to think of things remembered as more important than things not remembered easily