Overview
This lecture explores the biological, psychological, and social bases of motivation and emotion, examining key theories, physiological mechanisms, and social influences on behavior.
Theories of Motivation
- Motivation directs behavior toward goals and includes both biological and psychological factors.
- Intrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction; extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards.
- Overjustification effect: extrinsic rewards can reduce intrinsic motivation.
- Cultural context influences motivation—collectivist cultures value group needs over individual ones.
- Optimal classroom environments and teaching methods can increase intrinsic motivation in students.
Major Motivation Theories
- Instinct theory: behavior is driven by innate biological instincts (James).
- Drive theory: physiological needs create drives that motivate behavior to restore homeostasis.
- Arousal theory: we seek optimal levels of arousal; too high or too low can hinder performance (Yerkes-Dodson Law).
- Self-efficacy: belief in one’s abilities motivates pursuit of goals (Bandura).
- Social motives include needs for achievement, affiliation, and intimacy (Murray).
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Human needs are arranged in a hierarchy from basic physiological needs up to self-actualization.
- Lower needs (e.g., food, safety) must be met before higher needs (e.g., esteem, self-actualization).
- Criticized for subjectivity; later, Maslow included self-transcendence above self-actualization.
Hunger, Eating, and Body Weight
- Hunger is regulated by physiological signals (blood glucose, hormones like leptin).
- The hypothalamus plays a central role in hunger and satiety.
- Set-point theory: individuals have a genetically determined weight range that the body resists change from.
- BMI is widely used to classify weight status, but has limitations in assessing health.
Eating Disorders
- Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating and compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging).
- Anorexia nervosa features starvation and distorted body image.
- Both disorders are linked to serious health and psychological risks and influenced by genetic and cultural factors.
Sexual Motivation and Behavior
- Sexual behavior is influenced by physiological mechanisms (hypothalamus, hormones).
- Kinsey’s research revealed diversity in human sexual behaviors and introduced the Kinsey scale for sexual orientation.
- Masters and Johnson studied the sexual response cycle: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Sexual orientation: enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others.
- Gender identity: individual’s internal sense of gender; not always matching biological sex.
- Terms: cisgender (gender identity matches sex assigned at birth), transgender (gender identity differs).
- Sociocultural factors shape perceptions and experiences of sexuality and gender.
Emotion Theories
- Emotion is a complex response involving physiological arousal, subjective experience, and cognitive appraisal.
- James-Lange: emotion follows physiological arousal.
- Cannon-Bard: emotion and arousal occur simultaneously.
- Two-factor theory: emotion results from arousal plus cognitive labeling.
- Appraisal theory: emotions depend on individual appraisal of situations.
Biological and Social Aspects of Emotion
- The limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus) mediates emotional response.
- Amygdala: key in fear and emotional learning.
- Universal facial expressions exist for basic emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger).
- Cultural display rules determine emotional expression norms.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Intrinsic Motivation — motivation from internal satisfaction.
- Extrinsic Motivation — motivation from external rewards.
- Overjustification Effect — decrease in intrinsic motivation due to extrinsic rewards.
- Self-Efficacy — belief in one’s ability to succeed in tasks.
- Maslow’s Hierarchy — model of human needs from basic to self-fulfillment.
- Set-point Theory — idea of a biologically predetermined weight range.
- Bulimia Nervosa — eating disorder with bingeing and compensatory behaviors.
- Anorexia Nervosa — eating disorder with restricted intake and low weight.
- Sexual Orientation — pattern of romantic or sexual attraction.
- Gender Identity — personal sense of one’s gender.
- Emotion — subjective state involving physiological arousal and cognitive appraisal.
- Amygdala — brain region central to processing emotions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the theories of motivation and emotion for exam preparation.
- Read assigned textbook chapters on motivation, emotion, and eating disorders.
- Reflect on how cultural and social factors influence your own motivations and emotional expressions.