Introduction to Psychology

Introduction to Psychology

Chapter Six: Motivation and Emotion Learning Objectives After completing this unit, you should be able to: 1. Discuss howmotives function in our lives and how our diverse motives influence behavior 2. Describe what happens when motives conflict with one another 3. Discuss how biological factors influence our behaviors 4. Discuss how psychological factors influence our behaviors 5. Discuss how environmental factors influence behaviors 6. Discuss how culture influences emotional experiences and expression 6.1 Specific Motives The concept of motivation is central in our attempt to understand behavior and its causes. Motivation is defined as a process that influences the direction, persistence, and vigor of goal- directed behavior. Motivation can be defined as the psychological process that energizes and directs behavior. Hunger- Is often used to illustrate how factors can impact the occurrence and expression of a motive. Many theoretical perspectives address the topic of motivation and provide insight into the nature, functions, and consequences of motivation. Genetics and Set-point- Darwin’s theory of evolution inspired the early psychological views that instincts motivate our behavior. An instinct (also called a fixed action pattern) is an inherited characteristic, common to all members of a species that automatically produces a particular response when the organism is exposed to a particular stimulus. Modern evolutionary psychologists propose that many human motives have evolutionary underpinnings expressed through the actions of genes. Homeostatic models viewmotivation as an attempt tomaintain equilibrium in bodily functions. Drive theories propose that tissue deficits create drives, such as hunger, that push a organism to reduce that deficit and restore homeostasis. Psychological processes attempt to keep the body in energy homeostasis. Changes in the supply of glucose available to cells provide one signal that helps initiate hunger. Many researchers believe that there is a set point, a biologically determined standard around which body weight (or more accurately, fat mass) is regulated. This view holds that if we overeat or under eat, homeostatic mechanisms alter our energy utilization and hunger drive so as to restore the body’s set point. Influences of gender and culture- Incentives represent environmental stimuli that pull an organism toward a goal. Through classical conditioning, neutral stimuli can acquire the capacity to trigger hunger. Cultural norms affect our food preferences and eating habits. Heredity and the environment affect our susceptibility to becoming obese. Attitudes, habits, and psychological needs regulate food intake. Especially for women, food restriction often stems from social pressures to conform to cultural standards of beauty. Women have become increasingly dissatisfied with their body image

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