Motivation Theories
A student joins a volunteer group to support a cause close to their heart. Which motivation theory best explains this behavior, and why?
What is the self-determination theory, because the student is intrinsically motivated by their personal values?
Before dinner, you suddenly feel hungry and start thinking about food. Which hormone is likely rising?
What is ghrelin?
You smile while texting a friend and start to feel happier. Which theory explains this emotional feedback?
What is the facial-feedback hypothesis?
Which brain structure regulates hunger, thirst, and body temperature?
What is the hypothalamus?
A student feels their heart race and muscles tense after nearly being hit by a car. They then quickly step back onto the sidewalk. What universal emotion likely triggered this response?
What is fear?
A child practices piano every day - not because they love it, but because they want to win a scholarship. Which type of motivation is driving this behavior, and how would self-determination theory interpret it?
What is extrinsic motivation, and the self-determination theory would interpret the behavior as controlled because it’s driven by external rewards.
After eating a full meal, you push your plate away. What hormone plays a role here?
What is leptin?
You feel joy after receiving good news, which broadens your outlook and helps you think creatively. What theory explains this ripple effect?
What is the broaden-and-build theory?
Which “master gland” influences growth and hormone release throughout the body?
What is the pituitary gland?
When shown pictures of spoiled food, people from many cultures wrinkle their noses or turn their heads away. What basic emotion is this?
What is disgust?
Sally is feeling bored, so she starts watching a thriller movie to boost her mood. Which theory explains her behavior?
What is arousal theory?
You skip lunch, but the smell of fries at the mall makes you crave food again. What’s influencing this behavior?
What are external cues, like environmental smells, which can override internal hunger signals?
Your friend from another culture hides their anger in public, even when clearly frustrated. What concept explains this cultural variation?
What are display rules?
What hormonal change occurs just before a meal that drives us to eat?
What is a rise in ghrelin levels?
During a team project, a student becomes visibly angry after being unfairly blamed for a mistake. Which universal emotion is this?
What is anger?
Matt performs better on a test when he's a bit anxious, but bombs it when he's overly nervous. Which psychological principle is applied?
What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law, performance peaks at moderate arousal?
During final exams, you find yourself stress-eating despite not being hungry. Which concept explains this?
What is psychological influence on eating motivation?
You're stuck choosing between two equally great jobs. What kind of motivational conflict are you experiencing?
What is an approach-approach conflict?
What does leptin do once enough energy has been consumed?
It inhibits hunger and signals satiety to the brain.
After scoring the winning goal, a soccer player grins and jumps in the air. Why would spectators from different cultures likely interpret this behavior the same way?
What is because happiness is a universally expressed and recognized emotion?
A teenager skips a family gathering to go skydiving, while another stays home because they find the event too routine. Which motivational concepts are applied?
What are sensation-seeking theory and boredom susceptibility?
Your hypothalamus detects dehydration and triggers a behavior. What’s the behavior?
What is drinking water?
You get offered a prestigious job in another state, but you'd have to leave your friends and family. What kind of motivational conflict is this?
What is an approach-avoidance conflict?
How do the hypothalamus and pituitary gland work together to maintain homeostasis?
The hypothalamus monitors body states and signals the pituitary to release hormones accordingly.
During a game show, a contestant’s eyes widen and eyebrows rise after hearing they’ve won. What universal emotion is being expressed?
What is surprise?