Motivation and emotion part 4

Question 1

What is a need in psychology?

Answer 1

A need is any condition essential for survival, development, and well-being. If met, well-being is maintained; if unmet, physical or psychological harm can occur.
Example: Hunger is a physiological need. If not satisfied, it can lead to weakness and malnutrition.

Question 2

What are the three types of needs?

Answer 2

Physiological Needs: Essential for biological survival (e.g., thirst, hunger, sleep, sex).
Psychological Needs: Promote personal growth (e.g., autonomy, competence, relatedness).
Social Needs: Learned through experiences (e.g., achievement, power, intimacy).
Example: Feeling lonely (social need) can be just as motivating as feeling hungry (physiological need).

Question 3

How do physiological, psychological, and social needs differ?

Answer 3

Physiological Needs → Basic survival needs like food, water, and sleep. If not met, the body suffers.
Psychological Needs → Mental and emotional growth needs like feeling competent or having control over life. These help personal development.
Social Needs → Needs that come from relationships and society, like feeling loved, respected, or connected to others.
Example:
If a person is extremely thirsty, they will drink water first (physiological need) before focusing on making friends (social need) or improving their skills (psychological need).

Question 4

What happens when multiple needs occur at the same time?

Answer 4

The most intense need will dominate behavior, but different needs can interact.
Example: A student may feel hungry during an exam but will prioritize finishing the test before eating.

Question 5

What is Drive Theory?

Answer 5

Drive Theory explains that when your body lacks something essential (like food or sleep), it creates an urge (drive) that pushes you to take action to fix it.

Example:
If you haven’t slept all night (need), you start feeling extremely tired (drive), which makes you want to go to bed (behavior).

Question 6

What is the Need-Drive-Behavior sequence?

Answer 6

A cycle that explains how needs lead to motivation and action:

Need → 2. Drive → 3. Behavior → 4. Homeostasis → 5. Negative Feedback.
Example: Feeling cold (need) → Shivering (drive) → Wearing a jacket (behavior) → Body warms up (homeostasis) → Stop shivering (negative feedback).

Question 7

What are Multiple Inputs and Multiple Outputs in Drive?

Answer 7

A single need (drive) can have different causes (inputs) and different ways to be satisfied (outputs).

Example:

Multiple Inputs: You feel thirsty because you exercised, ate salty food, or it’s a hot day.
Multiple Outputs: You can satisfy thirst by drinking water, eating watermelon, or drinking juice.

Question 8

What are Intraorganismic and Extraorganismic Mechanisms?

Answer 8

Intraorganismic: Internal biological systems regulating needs (e.g., hormones, brain signals).
Extraorganismic: External influences on needs (e.g., environment, culture, social norms).
Example: Drinking water because of dehydration (intraorganismic) vs. drinking because of social norms (extraorganismic).

Question 9

What are the four primary needs?

Answer 9

Thirst – Maintains water balance.
Hunger – Ensures energy intake.
Sleep – Restores cognitive and physiological functions.
Sexual Behavior – Essential for species survival.
Example: A person experiencing dehydration (thirst) will prioritize water over other activities.

Question 10

How does negative feedback regulate motivation?

Answer 10

Negative feedback stops motivated behavior once the need has been satisfied, preventing overcompensation.
Example: Eating until full and then stopping due to satiety signals.

Question 11

What are the five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 11

Physiological: Food, water, sleep
Safety: Security, stability
Love/Belonging: Relationships, social connection
Esteem: Self-respect, recognition
Self-actualization: Personal growth, creativity
Example: A person experiencing financial stability (safety) might seek friendships (belonging) and later work on self-esteem and personal growth.

Question 12

Why are physiological needs at the base of Maslow’s hierarchy?

Answer 12

Physiological needs (like food and water) are the most essential for survival, so they must be met before an individual can focus on higher-level needs like social belonging or self-esteem.
Example: A homeless person will prioritize finding food and shelter before thinking about making social connections or achieving personal goals.

Question 13

What is self-actualization in Maslow’s theory?

Answer 13

Self-actualization is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy, where an individual reaches their full potential, engages in personal growth, and achieves fulfillment in life.
Example: A musician dedicating their life to composing and performing music despite financial instability.

Question 14

Why is Maslow’s theory considered rigid and linear?

Answer 14

Maslow’s theory assumes that individuals must complete lower needs before progressing to higher ones, but in reality, human motivation is more flexible and dynamic.
Example: A refugee prioritizing social connections (belonging) while still struggling with financial security and safety.

Question 15

What is a major criticism of Maslow’s hierarchy regarding individual differences?

Answer 15

The theory assumes a universal order of needs, but different individuals and cultures may prioritize needs differently based on personal values and experiences.
Example: Some people value social relationships (belonging) more than self-esteem, while others may prioritize career success over relationships.

Question 16

What is an example of a person prioritizing a higher-level need over a lower one?

Answer 16

A person going on a hunger strike for political reasons prioritizes their beliefs (self-actualization) over their physiological need for food.
Example: A whistleblower exposing corruption despite the risk to their safety and job security.

Question 17

Why is Maslow’s original research considered biased?

Answer 17

Maslow’s sample was primarily composed of successful Western men, making it less applicable to diverse populations with different motivational structures.
Example: The theory might not apply equally to all cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, as not everyone follows the same hierarchical pattern of needs.

Question 18

What triggers thirst in the body?

Answer 18

A drop in water volume by about 2% signals the brain to create the sensation of thirst.
Example: After running for 30 minutes, a person feels extremely thirsty due to water loss through sweat.

Question 19

Why does our body regulate thirst?

Answer 19

Thirst is a self-regulatory mechanism that maintains water balance for metabolic functions.
Example: When someone forgets to drink water, their body eventually forces them to seek water to prevent dehydration.

Question 20

How do environmental factors influence drinking?

Answer 20

Taste and external stimuli (like advertisements or seeing a cold drink) can increase drinking behavior.
Example: A person may drink more soda than water because of the sweet taste and branding influence.

Question 21

Why do some people overconsume liquids?

Answer 21

Alterations in the motivational system can lead to excessive drinking due to habit or emotional reasons.
Example: A person drinks large amounts of water during stress, even when not thirsty.

Question 22

How does alcohol consumption differ from water consumption?

Answer 22

Alcohol drinking is influenced by learning and social factors rather than physiological regulation.
Example: Someone drinking alcohol at a party for social reasons, even if they are not thirsty.

Question 23

How does taste affect drinking behavior?

Answer 23

Pure water has no taste, but adding flavor can increase or change drinking habits based on incentive value.
Example: People prefer flavored sports drinks over water even when they only need hydration.

Question 24

What are the three main reasons people drink?

Answer 24

1. Biological thirst, 2. Taste preference, 3. Addiction to substances in the drink.
   Example: 1. Drinking water after exercising (thirst),2. drinking juice for flavor, or 3. drinking coffee for caffeine.

Question 25

Is it necessary to drink 8 glasses of water daily?

Answer 25

No, there is no scientific evidence. Water intake depends on food and beverage consumption. Example: Someone who eats a lot of fruits and soups may not need to drink as much additional water.

Question 26

Why is sleep considered a homeostatic motivational system?

Answer 26

Sleep is regulated by physiological mechanisms that maintain balance in the body. The body naturally compels sleep when fatigued to restore function. Example: After pulling an all-nighter, you feel extreme drowsiness the next day, which pushes you to sleep longer the following night to restore balance.

Question 27

What are key factors that influence sleep?

Answer 27

Circadian rhythms, sleep pressure, lifestyle choices, diet, medications, mental health, and environmental factors. Example: A person who consistently works night shifts may struggle to fall asleep during the day due to disruptions in their circadian rhythm

Question 28

Why is sleep essential for survival?

Answer 28

Lack of sleep disrupts homeostasis, leading to impaired cognitive function, weakened immune response, and increased health risks. Example: A student who sleeps only 3 hours before an exam may struggle to focus, make errors, and experience memory problems.

Question 29

What are some habits that improve sleep quality?

Answer 29

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, limit naps, avoid alcohol/caffeine/heavy foods before bed, create a comfortable sleeping environment, and block noise/light. Example: A person who avoids drinking coffee in the evening and follows a relaxing bedtime routine sleeps more soundly.

Question 30

What is narcolepsy?

Answer 30

A neurological disorder that causes sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep, even during active situations. Example: A person with narcolepsy might suddenly fall asleep while having a conversation or during work.

Question 31

What is insomnia?

Answer 31

A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, leading to daytime fatigue. Example: Someone with anxiety may find themselves lying in bed for hours, unable to stop racing thoughts and fall asleep.

Question 32

Why should the bed be used only for sleep and sex?

Answer 32

This helps condition the brain to associate the bed with sleep, improving sleep efficiency and preventing insomnia. Example: Someone who frequently watches TV in bed may struggle to fall asleep because their brain associates the bed with entertainment rather than rest.

Question 33

What regulates hunger in the brain?

Answer 33

The hypothalamus is the brain region that controls hunger and satiety through two key areas: Lateral hypothalamus (LH) → Promotes ingestion (hunger signal) Example: When you haven’t eaten for hours, your lateral hypothalamus activates, making you feel hungry and increasing your motivation to eat. Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) → Signals satiety (fullness signal) Example: After a big meal, the ventromedial hypothalamus suppresses further eating, preventing overeating.

Question 34

How do external stimuli influence hunger?

Answer 34

External factors, like time of day, stress, sight, smell, and taste of food, can condition intake even without a physiological need. Example: Someone might crave popcorn at the movies because of the smell, even if they just ate.

Question 35

How does food variety impact eating behavior?

Answer 35

More variety in food types, nutrients, and flavors leads to increased food intake compared to a monotonous diet. Example: A buffet encourages overeating because people want to try different dishes.

Question 36

What are the main physiological models of hunger regulation?

Answer 36

Short-term physiological model: Based on the glucostatic hypothesis, which suggests that blood glucose levels influence hunger and meal timing. Example: If your blood sugar drops, you feel hungry and eat; when it rises, hunger diminishes. Long-term physiological model: The lipostatic hypothesis states that the body regulates weight over time by balancing fat storage and energy use. Example: If body fat drops, the body signals hunger to restore fat reserves.

Question 37

How do cognitive-social-environmental factors affect hunger?

Answer 37

How do cognitive-social-environmental factors affect hunger? A: Hunger can be influenced by food availability, cultural habits, and sensory cues like smell and appearance. Example: A person might eat dessert just because it looks appealing, even if they are full.

Question 38

What happens when cognitive control overrides physiological hunger?

Answer 38

Dieting suppresses natural hunger cues, replacing them with scheduled eating, which can lead to binge eating due to lack of negative feedback. Example: A person on a strict diet may avoid sweets for weeks but then binge on an entire cake when their willpower weakens.

Question 39

Why do diets often fail?

Answer 39

Underestimating biological drives → Willpower alone isn’t enough to suppress hunger long-term. Example: After fasting for 24 hours, the body's need for food can override cognitive control, leading to overeating. External & emotional disruptions → Factors like alcohol, anxiety, or stress weaken self-control, leading to loss of dietary restraint. Example: Someone on a diet may eat junk food when stressed at work.

Question 40

How can “healthy eating” become problematic?

Answer 40

Obsessive focus on clean eating can develop into an eating disorder (orthorexia), where people restrict their diet to only “pure” foods, negatively impacting their health. Example: Someone may avoid all processed foods to the point of malnutrition.

Question 41

What makes human sexual behavior different from other species?

Answer 41

Unlike most species, human sexual behavior is influenced by psychological, social, and cultural factors, not just biological ones. 🧠 Example: A lioness only mates when in heat, but humans engage in sexual activity for reasons beyond reproduction, such as emotional bonding

Question 42

Why is sexual behavior considered a primary need?

Answer 42

It is essential for the survival of the species, even though it is not necessary for individual survival. 🧠 Example: A person can live without engaging in sexual activity, but if an entire population stopped reproducing, humans would go extinct.

Question 43

How do facial features influence physical attractiveness?

Answer 43

Certain facial metrics are universally linked to attractiveness due to evolutionary preferences. Women: Large eyes, small nose, and small chin signal youth and fertility. Men: Thick eyebrows, strong jawline, and facial symmetry signal maturity and good genetics. Example: Studies show that symmetrical faces are often rated as more attractive across different cultures.

Question 44

What factors influence sexual orientation?

Answer 44

Sexual orientation is influenced by genetic, environmental, and prenatal hormonal factors rather than conscious choice. Example: Research suggests that sexual orientation is not determined by parental influence, contrary to common myths.

Question 45

What are common myths about sexual orientation?

Answer 45

Myth: Homosexuality is caused by a dominant mother and a weak father. Reality: Studies show no correlation between parental roles and sexual orientation. Myth: Exposure to an older same-sex individual influences sexual orientation. Reality: Sexual orientation develops from a mix of biological and environmental factors. Example: Scientific studies debunk the idea that upbringing or social exposure "creates" a sexual orientation.

Question 46

What are two key reasons why?

Answer 46

people fail at self-regulating needs? 1️⃣ Underestimating Biological Drives: Thinking willpower is stronger than physiological needs. 🧠 Example: A person fasting eventually gives in to extreme hunger. 2️⃣ Setting Unrealistic Standards: Trying to suppress natural needs completely. 🧠 Example: Someone avoiding all carbs might end up bingeing due to cravings.

Question 47

How can people improve self-regulation of biological needs?

Answer 47

✔ Set realistic goals instead of extreme restrictions. ✔ Focus on long-term balance rather than complete deprivation. 🧠 Example: Instead of cutting out sugar completely, reducing intake gradually prevents bingeing.