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Motivation, Emotion, and Stress - MCAT Behavioral Science

May 28, 2024

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Motivation, Emotion, and Stress - Chapter 5 (MCAT Behavioral Science)

Objectives

  1. Motivation
    • Define motivation as the purpose or driving force behind behavior.
    • Theories of Motivation: Instinct Theory, Arousal Theory, Drive Reduction Theory, Need-Based Theories.
  2. Emotion
    • Discuss the three elements of emotion: physiological response, behavioral response, and cognitive response.
    • Universal emotions and the adaptive role of emotions.
    • Theories of emotion and the role of the limbic system in emotion regulation.
  3. Stress
    • Cognitive appraisal of stress.
    • Types of stressors and physiological, emotional, and behavioral responses to stress.
    • General Adaptation Syndrome and coping strategies.

Motivation

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

  • Intrinsic motivation: Driven by internal forces, personal gratification, interest, or enjoyment in a task.
  • Extrinsic motivation: Driven by external forces, rewards, or avoiding punishment.

Theories of Motivation

  1. Instinct Theory
    • Behaviors driven by evolutionary programmed instincts.
    • Influenced by Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
    • Example: Principles of Psychology by William James.
  2. Arousal Theory
    • Optimal level of arousal to perform actions; deviation causes actions to adjust arousal levels.
    • Yerkes-Dodson Law: U-shaped relationship between arousal level and performance.
  3. Drive Reduction Theory
    • Motivation to eliminate uncomfortable states. Drives originate within the individual.
    • Primary Drives: Biological drives (e.g., hunger, thirst).
    • Secondary Drives: Non-biological drives (e.g., societal and emotional needs).
    • Homeostasis: Maintain stable conditions, regulated by negative feedback loops.
  4. Need-Based Theories
    • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Pyramid of needs from physiological to self-actualization.
    • Self-Determination Theory: Universal needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
    • Incentive Theory: Motivated by desire to pursue rewards and avoid punishment.
    • Expectancy-Value Theory: Motivation based on expectation of success and value of the goal.

Emotion

Elements of Emotion

  1. Physiological Response: Changes in heart rate, breathing rate, skin temperature, and blood pressure.
  2. Behavioral Response: Facial expressions and body language.
  3. Cognitive Response: Subjective interpretation of the feeling experienced.

Universal Emotions

  • Happiness, Sadness, Contempt, Surprise, Fear, Disgust, Anger.
  • Facial expression cues for recognition.

Adaptive Role of Emotions

  • Evolutionary adaptations for problem responses.
  • Specialized programs for guiding physiological responses and behaviors.

Theories of Emotion

  1. James-Lange Theory
    • Stimulus → Physiological arousal → Emotion labeling.
    • Weakness: Claim disproved by evidence.
  2. Cannon-Bard Theory
    • Stimulus → Simultaneous Physiological arousal & Emotion → Action.
    • Weakness: Does not explain vagus nerve.
  3. Schachter-Singer Theory (Two-Factor Theory)
    • Stimulus → Physiological arousal & Cognitive appraisal → Emotion.
    • Environment and cognitive processing influence emotion experienced.

Role of the Limbic System

  • Amygdala: Processes environment, detects cues, learns surroundings, associated with fear.
  • Thalamus: Routes information to appropriate brain areas.
  • Hypothalamus: Releases neurotransmitters and modulates emotion.
  • Hippocampus: Creates long-term memories; context for emotional experience.
  • Prefrontal Cortex: Planning, expressing personality, making decisions; left associated with positive, right with negative emotions.
  • Autonomic System: Physiological reactions associated with emotion.

Stress

Cognitive Appraisal of Stress

  1. Primary Appraisal: Initial threat evaluation (irrelevant, benign-positive, stressful).
  2. Secondary Appraisal: Organism’s coping ability assessment (harm, threat, challenge).

Types of Stressors

  • Environmental factors, daily events, workplace/academic settings, social expectations, chemical/biological stressors.
  • Distress: Unpleasant stressors.
  • Eustress: Positive conditions requiring lifestyle change, still stressful.

Physiological Response to Stress

  • General Adaptation Syndrome
    1. Alarm: Sympathetic activation; releases ACTH, cortisol, epinephrine/norepinephrine.
    2. Resistance: Sustained hormone release, maintaining response.
    3. Exhaustion: Body cannot maintain response; increased susceptibility to illness.

Coping with Stress

  1. Problem-Focused Strategies: Addressing the stressor (social support, problem-solving actions).
  2. Emotionally Focused Strategies: Changing feelings about stressor (self-control, distancing, positive thinking).

Note: Seek professional help for stress management if needed.

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