UNIT 7 Flashcards
Instinct theory
physical and mental instincts such as curiosity and fearfulness
(cause us to act)
Drive reduction theory
focuses on internal states of tension (like hunger) that motivate us to pursue actions that reduce the tension and bring us back to homeostasis
Incentive theory
beyond the primary motives of food, drink, and sex that push us toward a goal
Arousal theory
each of us has an optimal level of arousal necessary to perform tasks which varies with the person and the activity
Affiliation motive
need to be with others
Intrinsic motivation
desire to perform an activity for its own sake
Overjustification effect
promising a reward for doing something we already like to do: results in us seeing the reward as the motivation for performing the task. (When the reward is taken away, the behavior tends to disappear)
Social conflict situations
involve being torn in different directions by opposing motives that block us from attaining a goal
Approach-approach conflicts
situations involving two positive options, only one of which we can have
Avoidance-avoidance conflicts
situations involving two negative options, one of which we must choose
Approach-avoidance conflicts
situations involving whether or not to choose an option that has both a positive and negative consequence or consequences.
Evolutionary theory
emotions developed because of their adaptive value
James-Lange theory
conscious experience of emotion results from one’s aware- ness of autonomic arousal
Cannon-Bard theory
thalamus sends information to the limbic cerebral cortex simultaneously so that conscious experience of emotion accompanies physiological processes
Opponent-process theory
following a strong emotion, an opposing emotion counters the first emotion, lessening the experience of that emotion
Schachter-Singer two-factor theory
we determine an emotion from our physiological arousal and then label that emotion according to our cognitive explanation for the arousal
Cognitive-appraisal theory
our emotional experience depends on our interpretation of the situation we are in
Alarm reaction
stressor triggers increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system
Resistance
raised temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration maintained
Type A personalities
high achievers, competitive, impatient, multitaskers, who walk, talk, and eat quickly
Type B personalities
relaxed and calm in their approach to life.
Idiographic methods
personality assessment techniques that look at the individual, (case studies, interviews, and naturalistic observations)
Nomothetic methods
personality assessment techniques such as tests, surveys, and observations that focus on variables at the group level, identifying universal trait dimensions or relationships between different aspects of personality
Biological approach
examines the extent to which heredity determines our personality
