Motivation Theories and Biological Drives (7A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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What is the core claim of drive reduction theory of motivation?
What is the core claim of drive reduction theory of motivation?
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Behavior reduces internal tension from physiological needs (drives). Organisms act to restore equilibrium when needs create drives.
Behavior reduces internal tension from physiological needs (drives). Organisms act to restore equilibrium when needs create drives.
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Identify the correct term: a stable target value for a physiological variable.
Identify the correct term: a stable target value for a physiological variable.
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Set point. Homeostatic reference point the body defends.
Set point. Homeostatic reference point the body defends.
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What is the core claim of arousal theory of motivation?
What is the core claim of arousal theory of motivation?
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People are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal. Too much or too little stimulation motivates behavior change.
People are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal. Too much or too little stimulation motivates behavior change.
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What does arousal theory propose about the relationship between arousal and motivation?
What does arousal theory propose about the relationship between arousal and motivation?
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People seek an optimal level of arousal; behavior adjusts arousal. Too little boredom, too much anxiety; we seek the middle.
People seek an optimal level of arousal; behavior adjusts arousal. Too little boredom, too much anxiety; we seek the middle.
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Which emotion theory requires both arousal and a cognitive label to produce emotion?
Which emotion theory requires both arousal and a cognitive label to produce emotion?
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Schachter–Singer two-factor theory. Emphasizes cognitive interpretation of physiological state.
Schachter–Singer two-factor theory. Emphasizes cognitive interpretation of physiological state.
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What is incentive theory of motivation?
What is incentive theory of motivation?
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Behavior is driven by external rewards and avoidance of punishments. Focus on environmental stimuli rather than internal needs.
Behavior is driven by external rewards and avoidance of punishments. Focus on environmental stimuli rather than internal needs.
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What is the key limitation of drive reduction theory for explaining human behavior?
What is the key limitation of drive reduction theory for explaining human behavior?
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It poorly explains behaviors not tied to physiological needs. Can't explain curiosity, thrill-seeking, or social motivations.
It poorly explains behaviors not tied to physiological needs. Can't explain curiosity, thrill-seeking, or social motivations.
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What does incentive theory propose is the primary source of motivation?
What does incentive theory propose is the primary source of motivation?
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External rewards and avoidance of external punishments. Behavior is pulled by incentives rather than pushed by internal drives.
External rewards and avoidance of external punishments. Behavior is pulled by incentives rather than pushed by internal drives.
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Which theory most directly predicts misattribution of arousal across situations?
Which theory most directly predicts misattribution of arousal across situations?
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Schachter–Singer two-factor theory. Arousal from one source can be mislabeled as a different emotion.
Schachter–Singer two-factor theory. Arousal from one source can be mislabeled as a different emotion.
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What is the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
What is the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
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Intrinsic: internal satisfaction; extrinsic: external reward/pressure. Intrinsic comes from enjoyment; extrinsic from consequences.
Intrinsic: internal satisfaction; extrinsic: external reward/pressure. Intrinsic comes from enjoyment; extrinsic from consequences.
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Which Maslow level includes security, stability, and protection?
Which Maslow level includes security, stability, and protection?
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Safety needs. This level focuses on establishing a secure environment to protect against harm and uncertainty.
Safety needs. This level focuses on establishing a secure environment to protect against harm and uncertainty.
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What is the core claim of instinct theory of motivation?
What is the core claim of instinct theory of motivation?
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Motivation is driven by innate, biologically programmed instincts. Theory emphasizes fixed, species-specific behavioral patterns.
Motivation is driven by innate, biologically programmed instincts. Theory emphasizes fixed, species-specific behavioral patterns.
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What is the primary effect of leptin on eating behavior?
What is the primary effect of leptin on eating behavior?
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Decreases hunger by signaling energy sufficiency from fat stores. "Satiety hormone" produced by adipose tissue.
Decreases hunger by signaling energy sufficiency from fat stores. "Satiety hormone" produced by adipose tissue.
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What is the primary effect of ghrelin on eating behavior?
What is the primary effect of ghrelin on eating behavior?
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Increases hunger and promotes food intake. "Hunger hormone" released by empty stomach.
Increases hunger and promotes food intake. "Hunger hormone" released by empty stomach.
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Identify the term for decreased intrinsic motivation after adding external rewards.
Identify the term for decreased intrinsic motivation after adding external rewards.
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Overjustification effect. External rewards can undermine existing intrinsic interest.
Overjustification effect. External rewards can undermine existing intrinsic interest.
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What is extrinsic motivation?
What is extrinsic motivation?
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Motivation to do an activity for external rewards or outcomes. Driven by consequences separate from the activity itself.
Motivation to do an activity for external rewards or outcomes. Driven by consequences separate from the activity itself.
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What is intrinsic motivation?
What is intrinsic motivation?
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Motivation to do an activity for its inherent satisfaction. Driven by enjoyment, interest, or personal fulfillment.
Motivation to do an activity for its inherent satisfaction. Driven by enjoyment, interest, or personal fulfillment.
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What does self-determination theory identify as three basic psychological needs?
What does self-determination theory identify as three basic psychological needs?
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Autonomy, competence, and relatedness. SDT posits these needs drive human motivation universally.
Autonomy, competence, and relatedness. SDT posits these needs drive human motivation universally.
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Which need level in Maslow’s hierarchy includes belongingness and love?
Which need level in Maslow’s hierarchy includes belongingness and love?
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Love and belonging needs. Middle level: social connections and intimate relationships.
Love and belonging needs. Middle level: social connections and intimate relationships.
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Which need level in Maslow’s hierarchy includes food, water, and sleep?
Which need level in Maslow’s hierarchy includes food, water, and sleep?
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Physiological needs. Base of hierarchy: survival requirements like hunger and thirst.
Physiological needs. Base of hierarchy: survival requirements like hunger and thirst.
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What is the core claim of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
What is the core claim of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
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Lower needs generally must be met before higher-level needs dominate. Pyramid structure from basic survival to self-actualization.
Lower needs generally must be met before higher-level needs dominate. Pyramid structure from basic survival to self-actualization.
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What is the core claim of expectancy-value theory of motivation?
What is the core claim of expectancy-value theory of motivation?
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Motivation depends on expected success and value of the goal. Combines probability of success with outcome desirability.
Motivation depends on expected success and value of the goal. Combines probability of success with outcome desirability.
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What is the key distinction between drive reduction and incentive theories?
What is the key distinction between drive reduction and incentive theories?
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Drive: internal tension reduction; Incentive: external goal attraction. Drives push from within; incentives pull from outside.
Drive: internal tension reduction; Incentive: external goal attraction. Drives push from within; incentives pull from outside.
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What is the core claim of incentive theory of motivation?
What is the core claim of incentive theory of motivation?
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Behavior is driven by external rewards and avoidance of punishments. Environmental stimuli pull behavior toward goals.
Behavior is driven by external rewards and avoidance of punishments. Environmental stimuli pull behavior toward goals.
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What does the Yerkes–Dodson law predict about arousal and performance?
What does the Yerkes–Dodson law predict about arousal and performance?
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Performance is highest at intermediate arousal (inverted-U relation). Complex tasks need lower arousal; simple tasks need higher.
Performance is highest at intermediate arousal (inverted-U relation). Complex tasks need lower arousal; simple tasks need higher.
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What is homeostasis in the context of motivation and drives?
What is homeostasis in the context of motivation and drives?
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Physiological regulation to maintain internal variables near set points. Body actively maintains stable conditions like temperature and pH.
Physiological regulation to maintain internal variables near set points. Body actively maintains stable conditions like temperature and pH.
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What is the hypothalamus’s primary role in hunger and thirst regulation?
What is the hypothalamus’s primary role in hunger and thirst regulation?
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Integrates internal signals and coordinates feeding and drinking behavior. Brain region monitors energy balance and triggers appropriate behaviors.
Integrates internal signals and coordinates feeding and drinking behavior. Brain region monitors energy balance and triggers appropriate behaviors.
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Which stomach-derived hormone increases appetite and is highest before meals?
Which stomach-derived hormone increases appetite and is highest before meals?
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Ghrelin. Stomach releases this "hunger hormone" when empty.
Ghrelin. Stomach releases this "hunger hormone" when empty.
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What is the difference between a drive and an incentive in motivation theory?
What is the difference between a drive and an incentive in motivation theory?
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Drive: internal tension; incentive: external goal that pulls behavior. Drives push from within; incentives pull from outside.
Drive: internal tension; incentive: external goal that pulls behavior. Drives push from within; incentives pull from outside.
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What does incentive theory emphasize as the main source of motivation?
What does incentive theory emphasize as the main source of motivation?
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External rewards and environmental cues that attract behavior. Theory focuses on environmental stimuli rather than internal states.
External rewards and environmental cues that attract behavior. Theory focuses on environmental stimuli rather than internal states.
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