Psychology

Motivation and Emotion

Objectives and Overview

Objectives:

In this part of the course, students explore biological and social factors that motivate behavior and biological and cultural factors that influence emotion. Psychology students should be able to do the following:

  • Identify and apply basic motivational concepts to understand the behavior of humans and other animals (e.g., instincts, incentives, intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation).
  • Discuss the biological underpinnings of motivation, including needs, drives, and homeostasis.
  • Compare and contrast motivational theories (e.g., drive reduction theory, arousal theory, general adaptation theory), including the strengths and weaknesses of each.
  • Describe classic research findings in specific motivation systems (e.g., eating, sex, social)
  • Discuss theories of stress and the effects of stress on psychological and physical well-being.
  • Compare and contrast major theories of emotion (e.g., James–Lange, Cannon–Bard, Schachter two-factor theory).
  • Describe how cultural influences shape emotional expression, including variations in body language.
  • Identify key contributors in the psychology of motivation and emotion (Abraham Maslow)

Chapter Overview:

Motivation refers to an internal state that activates behavior and gives direction to our thoughts. Emotions are positive or negative feelings usually accompanied by behavior and physiological arousal that generally occur in response to stimulus situations.
Primary motives are motives for things that are necessary for survival, such as food, water, and warmth. Homeostatic mechanisms in the body help to regulate biological imbalances and stimulate actions to restore the proper balance.
Psychological motives are motives that are related to the individual's happiness and well-being, but not to survival. Among the important psychological motives are (1) seeking novel stimulation; (2) seeking an optimal level of arousal (the Yerkes-Dodson law states that if arousal is too low, performance will be inadequate, but if arousal is too high, it may disrupt performance); (3) the motive for affiliation, the preference to be with others; and (4) achievement motivation, the psychological need for success.
Emotions are the experiences that give color, meaning, and intensity to our lives. Theories that attempt to explain emotions include the James-Lange theory, the Cannon-Bard theory, and cognitive theories. According to Schachter and Singer, the cognitive process involves interpreting stimuli from both the environment and the body. Most psychologists believe that many basic emotions are primarily inborn but that learning plays an important role in emotions.