Motivation and Physiological Psychology: Module 14

Overview

• Continuation from Module 13, shifting focus from cognitive to physiological processes.
• Covers biological drives and substance abuse.
• Relevant courses at Washington State University: PSYCH 372, PSYCH 265, PSYCH 230, PSYCH 324, PSYCH 333.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand motivation to maintain balance.
• Outline biological drives: temperature, sleep, hunger, thirst, sexual behavior.
• Understand motivation behind substance use.

14.1. Biological Drives: Motivated to Survive

Homeostasis

• Automatic behaviors to maintain balance (temperature, glucose, blood pressure, sleep).
• Body compares actual state to ideal set points (e.g., thermostat analogy).

Temperature (Thermoregulation)

• Core temperature: 98-100°F.
• Extremes can cause hypothermia or hyperthermia.
• Hypothalamus controls responses (sweating, vasodilation/constriction).

Sleep

• Necessary for survival, reasons unclear.
• Involves hypothalamus, suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), thalamus, pineal gland.
• Regulated by circadian rhythms and sleep-wake homeostasis.
• Sleep recommendations: adults 7-9 hours, babies and teens more.

Hunger

• Related to glucose levels and satiety.
• Internal signals from stomach/blood (glucose, ghrelin, leptin).
• Hypothalamus regulates hunger behaviors.
• External cues: time, social factors, food sight/smell, cultural norms.

Thirst

• Two types: intracellular (salty foods) and extracellular (sweating, vomiting).

Sexual Behavior

• Not essential for individual survival but necessary for species reproduction.
• Influenced by sex hormones (estrogens, progestins, androgens).
• Masters and Johnson's sexual response pattern: excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution.
• CDC statistics on adolescent sexual behavior.

14.2. Substance Abuse: Motivated by a Desire to Feel Better

Substance and Substance Abuse

• Substances: ingested materials causing cognitive, behavioral, physiological symptoms.
• Substance abuse involves tolerance and withdrawal.

Types of Substances

• Depressants: alcohol, sedatives, opioids. Affect CNS, cause relaxation but impair judgment.
• Stimulants: cocaine, amphetamines. Increase CNS activity, cause euphoria, appetite suppression.
• Hallucinogens/Cannabis: sensory changes, psychoactive effects. Cannabis also has stimulant/depressive effects.

Etiology of Substance Abuse

• Biological: genetic predisposition and familial influence.
• Neurobiological: brain reward systems (dopamine, GABA, serotonin).
• Cognitive: expectancy effects, positive/negative outcomes.
• Behavioral: operant conditioning, positive/negative reinforcement.
• Sociocultural: peer influence, family history, stress, socioeconomic factors.

Module Recap

• Discussion on physiological processes behind motivated behavior.
• Exploration of drives and addicted behavior.
• Connection to clinical psychology and behavioral change.
• Leads into a discussion on universal human values in Module 15.