AP Psych 7.1 (Theories of Motivation)

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs explains human motivation and satisfaction, proposing that people are motivated to fulfill a series of needs in levels of importance, starting with the most essential needs.
• Instinct is complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned
• Drive Reduction Theory is the idea that a physiological need creates a drive and that motivates us to satisfy the need
• Homeostasis is the tendency to maintain a balanced and consistent internal state
• Instinct Theory says that instincts drive human behavior and humans survive based on instincts
• Criticisms of instinct theory says that it fails to explain human motive
• Incentives are positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior
• Incentive Theory says that we are motivated by the push for homeostasis (internal) and the pull of incentives (external)
• Optimal arousal theory is the idea that our minds and bodies function at their best when they are at a specific level of arousal
• Self Actualization is the highest level that we strive for, our fullest potential
• Hierarchy of Needs is Maslow's hierarchy of needs which includes physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem/status, self actualization
• The Hypothalamus controls hunger, both increasing and suppressing hunger
• Ventromedial hypothalamus makes us stop eating when stimulated
• Lateral hypothalamus makes us start eating when stimulated
• Insulin controls blood glucose
• Glucose is a form of sugar circulated in blood and provides energy for body tissues
• Brain will notice lack of glucose and trigger hunger symptoms
• Leptin signals satiety, full
• Ghrelin signals hunger
• Orexin is found the in the lateral hypothalamus
• Peptide YY is found in the ventromedial hypothalamus
• Set point is at which our “weight thermostat” is set
• when body falls below set point, hunger increases and metabolic rate decreases to restore lost weight
• Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy your body uses to be at rest
• Body chemistry and environmental factors influence when we are hungry and what we’re hungry for
• sweet and salty tastes are genetic and universal
• preferences are conditioned to culture
• Unit Bias is how the size of proportions make a difference (bigger the portion the more you eat)
• Eating disorders are psychological
• Anorexia Nervosa is when a person diets and becomes significantly underweight (15% or more) and continues to starve
• Bulimia Nervosa means binging and purging which is repeated episodes or overeating, followed by purging
• Binge eating disorder is binges followed by not purging
• Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or more