Lecture Notes: Motivation and Emotion

Introduction to Motivational Theories

• Aaron Ralston's Example: Highlight of human motivation in survival situations.
  • Ralston was trapped while rock climbing and survived by amputating his arm.
  • Motivated by hallucinations of a future son.

Understanding Motivation in Human Behavior

• Examples:
  • Frank's Drive: Uses long drive to process emotions after argument.
  • Bob the Dog's Behavior: Drinks from toilet bowl when owner is not around to avoid scolding.
  • Dan's Parachute Jump: Motivated by adrenaline and excitement.
  • Jean's Parachute Jump: Motivated by career obligation and avoiding consequences.

Types of Needs

• Physiological Needs: Food, water, safe temperature.
• Social Needs: Belongingness, affection.
• Arousal/Cognitive Needs: Learning, growth, challenge.

Theories of Motivation

• Drive Theories: Based on maintaining homeostasis. Motivation from internal states of tension.
• Incentive Theories: External stimuli regulate motivation, focusing on reinforcement and punishment.
• Evolutionary Theories: Behavior driven by evolutionary advantages, such as maximizing reproductive success.

Motivation and Hunger

• Biological Factors: The hypothalamus plays a critical role.
  • Neural circuits in the hypothalamus are complex and regulate hunger.
  • Hormones like ghrelin, CCK, and leptin regulate hunger and satiety.
• Environmental Factors: Palatability, quantity, variety, presence of others, stress, and exposure to food cues affect eating habits.

Learned Preferences and Habits

• Cultural influences shape food preferences and aversions.
• Conditioning (classical and observational) affects taste preferences.

Eating, Weight, and Obesity

• Body Mass Index (BMI): Measures obesity, but Eurocentric and not definitive.
• Health Risks: Obesity linked to various health conditions and mortality risk.
• Genetic Factors: Twin studies indicate hereditary influence on obesity.
• Obesogenic Environment: High-calorie foods and sedentary lifestyle contribute to obesity.

Sexual Motivation and Behavior

• Masters and Johnson's Sexual Response Cycle: Excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution.
• Parental Investment Theory: Discusses gender differences in mating strategies, but criticized for being binary and heteronormative.

Sexual Orientation

• Kinsey's Research: Sexual orientation as a spectrum.
• Biological Theories: Suggest genetic predispositions and prenatal hormone influences.
• Cultural and Social Influences: Societal pressures and cultural norms shape sexual behavior and identity.

Conclusion

• The lecture explores the complexity of motivation, emphasizing that motivation can stem from various physiological, psychological, and social factors.
• Recognizes the need for more inclusive and comprehensive theories in motivation and sexual orientation.