Bzz! In My Brain
Joy, surprise, sadness, fear, anticipation, disgust, trust, anger
How does the incentive theory of motivation apply to your life?
Your behavior may be caused by the expectation of a reward like money or praise (examples of an extrinsic motivation) or because you enjoy doing it/it will make you feel good about yourself (intrinsic motivation).
Describe the findings of Kring and Gordon's 1998 study on gender and expressiveness.
Women are much more expressive than men, and they tend to feel emotions more deeply. They also recall emotional events better than men.
To what extent does the James-Lange theory explain emotion?
According to the James-Lange theory, emotion is caused by being aware of how the body is responding to stimuli. Physiological arousal comes before experiencing emotion. The facial feedback hypothesis supports this theory and establishes the connection between the body and emotions. However, it is limited because physiological responses can be similar across different emotions.
Components of happiness
pleasure, engagement, meaning
How does Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions move according to intensity?
Intensity decreases when moving outward, increases when moving inward
Role of hunger in motivation
Drive reduction theory: Hunger is a drive (physiological tension that was born from the lack of food) that can motivate behavior to reduce it (eating)
Set point: If an individual's weight falls below that set point, hunger can motivate behaviors that restores the weight to maintain it
Glucostatic: Hunger is signaled by low glucose levels (with insulin, its high levels). Once levels are increased, satiety is signaled.
Identify the research method used in the Facial Feedback Hypothesis study done by Strack, Martin, and Stepper in 1988 and explain its limitations.
Method: Laboratory experiment
Limitations:
- Because of the method choice, there is low ecological validity. The behavior that the participants were asked to do is unnatural, which makes it appear as if the study's results could only be done in a certain experimental environment.
- Sample sizes were too small. Considering the hypothesis could be universal if proven, the sample sizes need to account for a much bigger populace.
- Participants, at any time, could have realized what expression they were being manipulated into making. That can cause behavior that they think the researchers want/are looking for.
Explain the role of cognition in motivation.
Cognitive theory of motivation states that our behavior is influenced by our thoughts and beliefs. Cognition itself helps shape our behavior and direct it according to our goals and expectations. If we evaluate our expectations and what we want/value from it, we can be motivated to take actions that turn those expectations into reality. Our beliefs and self-esteem can influence the effort we are motivated to put into certain tasks.
The Autonomic Nervous System maintains homeostasis by...
regulating heart rate, digestion, body temperature, sexual arousal, blood pressure, and respiration.
According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, how it optimal performance achieved?
When arousal levels are moderate (just right, medium level)
High arousal can cause physiological and psychological distress, while low arousal causes a lack of motivation.
If your task is easy, you need more arousal to perform it well.
How can you use one theory of motivation to start an essay?
Arousal: Behavior is caused by maintaining the right/perfect level of arousal (peak performance). If arousal is low, you may play music in the background or start with a more engaging part of your essay. If arousal is too high, stress can be reduced by working in a quieter place or taking your essay apart and doing them one by one.
Incentive: Motivation is caused by some form of payoff, could be internal need or external reinforcement. In an academic setting, beginning your essay and finishing it may give you pride in your work and your skills, praise from your teacher/s, or even college admission.
Cognitive: Motivation is affected by how we think and what we believe in. Your essay is uniquely yours, that sense of control knowing the contents of the essay are what you want and how it relates to you increases motivation. You can also create an easily attainable goal for yourself to boost motivation.
Drive Reduction: "Starting an essay" is too vague. There could or could not be any drives that someone might need to satisfy.
Instinct: Essay writing itself is a learned behavior. It is not something you are born with.
Hierarchy of Needs: Too loose. Given that preceding needs are met, the motivation for starting an essay might be because of esteem needs (good grades/feeling accomplished) or self-actualization.
Outline the procedure and findings in Strack, Martin, & Stepper's 1988 study on the Facial Feedback Hypothesis.
Procedure: Researchers hid the true purpose of the study from the participants using a cover story. The participants were asked to hold a pen using either their teeth (forming a smile), lips (forming a pout), or their non-dominant hand (for control). With the pen in position, they were to rate cartoons based on funniness.
Findings: Facial expressions that inhibit smiling can dampen an individual's humor, and vice versa. Findings support the facial feedback hypothesis---facial expressions influence the mind to feel emotions.
Evaluate Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs provides a simple idea that human motivations move from basic needs to higher-level ones. The different tiers and where they are placed can also serve as a guide to individuals who wish to understand their own behavior/choices and why it might feel like some needs are unmet. However, the hierarchy of needs is also very linear. People tackle satisfying all kinds of needs all at once. Not only that, some may even tackle each tier out of order.
Ventromedial hypothalamus
signals satiety
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (+100 if in order!)
B-T: Physiological, Safety and Security, Love and belonging, Esteem and Self-Esteem, Self-actualization
Apply Cannon-Bard to a real life scenario
The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion states that stimulus triggers physiological arousal and emotion simultaneously.
Some examples of it in action are:
- Seeing something scary can lead to a faster heartbeat while you experience terror.
- A pressuring situation can cause sweating and anxiety.
- Arguing with someone can turn breathing heavy while feeling frustrated.
- Surprises can spike your heart rate and leave you shocked.
- Receiving bad news can make your heart feel heavy as you feel sadness wash in.
Answers are valid as long as it mentions arousal and the emotional experience occurring at the same time. Otherwise, application is either James-Lange, Schachter-Singer, or just common sense.
IV and DV in the Facial Feedback Hypothesis done by Strack, Martin, and Stepper in 1988.
IV: Placement of the pen (either lips, teeth, or non-dominant hand)
DV: Funniness levels of the cartoons
Explain the incentive theory of motivation.
The incentive theory states that individuals are driven to behave a certain way because of a payoff. The theory mainly focuses on external payoffs (incentives) that drive behavior, such as working to get money or doing something your parents want so that you don't get in trouble. For example, I might run an extra lap around the track for extra credit (reward).
Lateral hypothalamus
signals hunger
Define the Limbic system and its parts
Limbic system: primarily in charge of emotion and memory
Amygdala: emotional fear, anxiety, and rage
Hippocampus: memory processing
Hypothalamus: triggers hormones. psycho response to physiological response
Describe the effects of cultural norms and differences on emotions.
Emotional expression and unspoken "display rules" in different cultures can restrict how much emotions are felt and expressed. Body language/gestures can be misinterpreted across multiple cultures if the same action means something different. If a certain gesture is offensive in one and is acceptable in another, individuals will choose not to use it when around others that are a part of that culture. Another example: in cultures that expect men to be the "ultimate" head of the family is also expected to always be strong and not show emotions/vulnerability, leaving women with a label of "being emotional."
Describe one study related to gender recognition in facial expressions.
According to Becker et al., 2007, even with a gender neutral face, facial expressions displaying specific emotions can be seen as either a man or woman. When manipulated into an angry expression, people more likely saw the gender neutral face as a man, while a happy expression saw the face as a woman.
Compare the effects of individualistic and collectivistic cultures on achievement motivation.
Individualistic cultures tend to focus on independence. Those that are a part of this group are more motivated to make choices that encourage self-actualization and personal growth. These are their achievements. Because of the emphasis on the self, individualistic people may be more motivated in competitions as it offers personal success and recognition.
Collectivistic cultures tend to focus on group harmony. Those that are a part of this group are more motivated to make choices that encourage collaboration among group members and contribute to the group. Because of the emphasis on the "we," collectivistic people may be more motivated to share their own successes with the group.
Explain Schachter-Singer's Theory of Emotion
The Two-factor theory of emotion states that emotions are experienced when one is physically aroused and that arousal is cognitively labeled. In short, physiological arousal + cognitive labeling/interpretation = emotion. For example, Schachter and Singer (1962) gave participants epinephrine that caused physiological responses. Those uninformed of that side effect used the behavior of the confederate to explain their emotions. These participants experienced physiological arousal, used the environment around them, and then felt an emotion.
Regular example: If you were walking along a dark sidewalk, your heart starts pounding and you label that arousal as fear because you interpret the situation/environment as dangerous.