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  2. MCAT Psychological Social Foundations
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MCAT Psychological Social Foundations Flashcards: 7a Motivation Theories Drives

Study 7a Motivation Theories Drives in MCAT Psychological Social Foundations with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.

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What this deck covers

This deck focuses on 7a Motivation Theories Drives, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for MCAT Psychological Social Foundations.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

MCAT Psychological Social Foundations Flashcards: 7a Motivation Theories Drives

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QUESTION

What is the core claim of drive reduction theory of motivation?

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ANSWER

Behavior reduces internal tension from physiological needs (drives). Organisms act to restore equilibrium when needs create drives.

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Flashcard 1: What is the core claim of drive reduction theory of motivation?

Answer: Behavior reduces internal tension from physiological needs (drives). Organisms act to restore equilibrium when needs create drives.

Flashcard 2: Identify the correct term: a stable target value for a physiological variable.

Answer: Set point. Homeostatic reference point the body defends.

Flashcard 3: What is the core claim of arousal theory of motivation?

Answer: People are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal. Too much or too little stimulation motivates behavior change.

Flashcard 4: What does arousal theory propose about the relationship between arousal and motivation?

Answer: People seek an optimal level of arousal; behavior adjusts arousal. Too little boredom, too much anxiety; we seek the middle.

Flashcard 5: Which emotion theory requires both arousal and a cognitive label to produce emotion?

Answer: Schachter–Singer two-factor theory. Emphasizes cognitive interpretation of physiological state.

Flashcard 6: What is incentive theory of motivation?

Answer: Behavior is driven by external rewards and avoidance of punishments. Focus on environmental stimuli rather than internal needs.

Flashcard 7: What is the key limitation of drive reduction theory for explaining human behavior?

Answer: It poorly explains behaviors not tied to physiological needs. Can't explain curiosity, thrill-seeking, or social motivations.

Flashcard 8: What does incentive theory propose is the primary source of motivation?

Answer: External rewards and avoidance of external punishments. Behavior is pulled by incentives rather than pushed by internal drives.

Flashcard 9: Which theory most directly predicts misattribution of arousal across situations?

Answer: Schachter–Singer two-factor theory. Arousal from one source can be mislabeled as a different emotion.

Flashcard 10: What is the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Answer: Intrinsic: internal satisfaction; extrinsic: external reward/pressure. Intrinsic comes from enjoyment; extrinsic from consequences.

Flashcard 11: Which Maslow level includes security, stability, and protection?

Answer: Safety needs. This level focuses on establishing a secure environment to protect against harm and uncertainty.

Flashcard 12: What is the core claim of instinct theory of motivation?

Answer: Motivation is driven by innate, biologically programmed instincts. Theory emphasizes fixed, species-specific behavioral patterns.

Flashcard 13: What is the primary effect of leptin on eating behavior?

Answer: Decreases hunger by signaling energy sufficiency from fat stores. "Satiety hormone" produced by adipose tissue.

Flashcard 14: What is the primary effect of ghrelin on eating behavior?

Answer: Increases hunger and promotes food intake. "Hunger hormone" released by empty stomach.

Flashcard 15: Identify the term for decreased intrinsic motivation after adding external rewards.

Answer: Overjustification effect. External rewards can undermine existing intrinsic interest.

Flashcard 16: What is extrinsic motivation?

Answer: Motivation to do an activity for external rewards or outcomes. Driven by consequences separate from the activity itself.

Flashcard 17: What is intrinsic motivation?

Answer: Motivation to do an activity for its inherent satisfaction. Driven by enjoyment, interest, or personal fulfillment.

Flashcard 18: What does self-determination theory identify as three basic psychological needs?

Answer: Autonomy, competence, and relatedness. SDT posits these needs drive human motivation universally.

Flashcard 19: Which need level in Maslow’s hierarchy includes belongingness and love?

Answer: Love and belonging needs. Middle level: social connections and intimate relationships.

Flashcard 20: Which need level in Maslow’s hierarchy includes food, water, and sleep?

Answer: Physiological needs. Base of hierarchy: survival requirements like hunger and thirst.

Flashcard 21: What is the core claim of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer: Lower needs generally must be met before higher-level needs dominate. Pyramid structure from basic survival to self-actualization.

Flashcard 22: What is the core claim of expectancy-value theory of motivation?

Answer: Motivation depends on expected success and value of the goal. Combines probability of success with outcome desirability.

Flashcard 23: What is the key distinction between drive reduction and incentive theories?

Answer: Drive: internal tension reduction; Incentive: external goal attraction. Drives push from within; incentives pull from outside.

Flashcard 24: What is the core claim of incentive theory of motivation?

Answer: Behavior is driven by external rewards and avoidance of punishments. Environmental stimuli pull behavior toward goals.

Flashcard 25: What does the Yerkes–Dodson law predict about arousal and performance?

Answer: Performance is highest at intermediate arousal (inverted-U relation). Complex tasks need lower arousal; simple tasks need higher.

Flashcard 26: What is homeostasis in the context of motivation and drives?

Answer: Physiological regulation to maintain internal variables near set points. Body actively maintains stable conditions like temperature and pH.

Flashcard 27: What is the hypothalamus’s primary role in hunger and thirst regulation?

Answer: Integrates internal signals and coordinates feeding and drinking behavior. Brain region monitors energy balance and triggers appropriate behaviors.

Flashcard 28: Which stomach-derived hormone increases appetite and is highest before meals?

Answer: Ghrelin. Stomach releases this "hunger hormone" when empty.

Flashcard 29: What is the difference between a drive and an incentive in motivation theory?

Answer: Drive: internal tension; incentive: external goal that pulls behavior. Drives push from within; incentives pull from outside.

Flashcard 30: What does incentive theory emphasize as the main source of motivation?

Answer: External rewards and environmental cues that attract behavior. Theory focuses on environmental stimuli rather than internal states.