Psy Exam 4 Flashcards
Motivation
a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior
instinct
a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned
physiological need
a basic bodily requirement
drive-reduction theory
the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need
homeostasis
A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level
incentive
a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior
Yerkes-Dodson Law
the principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases
hierarchy of needs
Maslow’s pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher-level safety needs and then psychological needs become active
self-transcendence needs
need to find meaning and identity beyond the self
self-actualization needs
need to live up to our fullest and unique potential
esteem needs
need for self-esteem, achievement, competence, and independence, need for recognition and respect from others
belongingness and love needs
need to love and be loved, to belong and be accepted; need to avoid loneliness and separation
safety needs
need to feel that the world is organized and predictable; need to feel safe, secure, and stable
physiological needs
need to satisfy hunger and thirst
glucose
the form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissue. when its level is low, we feel hunger
self point
the point at which an individual’s “weight thermostat” is supposedly set. when the body falls below this weight, an increase in hunger and a lowered metabolic rate may act to restore the lost weight
basal metabolic rate
the body’s resting rate of energy output
obesity
defined as a body mass index (BMI) measurement of 30 or higher (overweight individuals have a BMI of 25 or higher)
asexual
having no sexual attraction to others
testosterone
the most important of the male sex hormones. both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
estrogen
a sex hormone, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males. in nonhuman female mammals, estrogen levels speak during ovulation, promoting sexual receptivity
sexual response cycle
the four stages of sexual responding described by Masters and Johnson- excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution
refractory period
in human sexuality, a resting period that occurs after orgasm, during which a person cannot achieve another orgasm
sexual dysfunction
a problem that consistently impairs sexual arousal or functioning at any point in the sexual response cycle
erectile disorder
inability to develop or maintain a erection due to insufficient blood flow to the penis
female orgasmic disorder
distress due to infrequently or never experiencing orgasm
paraphilias
sexual arousal from fantasies, behaviors, or urges involving nonhuman objects, the suffering of self or others, and nonconsenting persons
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
a life-threatening, sexually transmitted infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS depletes the immune system, leaving the person vulnerable to infections
sexual orientation
the direction of our sexual attractions; as reflected in our longings and fantasies
affiliation need
the need the build and maintain relationships and to feel part of a group
self-determination theory
the theory that we feel motivated to satisfy our needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness
ostracism
deliberate social exclusion of individuals or groups
achievement motivation
a desire for significant accomplishment; for mastery of things, people, or ideas; for attaining a high standard
narcissism
excessive self-love and self-absorption
grit
in psychology, passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals
intrinsic motivation
a desire to perform a behavior effectively for it’s own sake
extrinsic motivation
the desire to perform aa behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment