Glossary
Approach-Approach Conflict
A motivational conflict where an individual must choose between two equally attractive or desirable options.
Example:
Deciding whether to go to your favorite band's concert or a highly anticipated movie premiere on the same night is an approach-approach conflict.
Approach-Avoidance Conflict
A motivational conflict where a single goal or option has both attractive and unattractive aspects.
Example:
Considering a job offer that pays very well but requires a long, stressful commute presents an approach-avoidance conflict.
Arousal Theory
A theory suggesting that people are motivated to maintain an optimal level of physiological arousal, seeking excitement when bored and calm when overstimulated.
Example:
After a long day of quiet studying, you might seek out a lively social gathering to increase your arousal level.
Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict
A motivational conflict where an individual must choose between two equally undesirable or unpleasant options.
Example:
Having to choose between doing a tedious chore or facing a consequence for not doing it is an avoidance-avoidance conflict.
Boredom Susceptibility
A component of sensation-seeking reflecting an aversion to repetitive experiences, routine, and monotonous tasks.
Example:
Someone who constantly changes hobbies and gets restless with routine tasks likely has high boredom susceptibility.
Disinhibition
A component of sensation-seeking characterized by a tendency to seek thrills through social activities, often involving alcohol or drugs.
Example:
Attending wild parties and engaging in impulsive social behaviors might be linked to high disinhibition.
Drive-Reduction Theory
A theory stating that physiological needs create an aroused state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need and reduce the tension.
Example:
Feeling thirsty creates a drive to drink water, which then reduces the uncomfortable sensation.
Experience Seeking
A component of sensation-seeking characterized by the desire for new sensory and mental experiences through unconventional living.
Example:
Traveling to remote, culturally diverse countries to immerse oneself in new customs demonstrates experience seeking.
Extrinsic Motivation
Engaging in an activity to obtain an external reward or avoid punishment.
Example:
Studying hard for a test primarily to earn a good grade or avoid parental grounding is an example of extrinsic motivation.
Ghrelin
A hormone produced by the stomach that stimulates appetite and signals hunger to the brain.
Example:
When your stomach growls and you feel hungry, it's often due to the release of ghrelin.
Homeostasis
A state of physiological equilibrium or stability; the body's tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state.
Example:
When your body temperature drops, shivering helps restore homeostasis by generating heat.
Hypothalamus
A small but vital brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating basic biological needs, including hunger, thirst, and body temperature.
Example:
Damage to the hypothalamus can severely disrupt an individual's eating patterns, leading to extreme weight gain or loss.
Incentive Theory
A theory of motivation suggesting that behavior is motivated by external rewards or punishments, rather than internal drives.
Example:
Working overtime to earn a bonus check is explained by incentive theory, as the bonus acts as a powerful motivator.
Incentives
External stimuli that motivate behavior, which can be positive (rewards) or negative (punishments).
Example:
A scholarship offer serves as a strong incentive for students to achieve high academic performance.
Instinctive Behaviors
Innate, unlearned, fixed patterns of behavior that are characteristic of a species.
Example:
A spider spinning a web without being taught is an example of an instinctive behavior.
Intrinsic Motivation
Engaging in an activity for its own sake, because it is personally rewarding or enjoyable.
Example:
Playing a musical instrument simply because you love the sound and the process is an example of intrinsic motivation.
Leptin
A hormone produced by fat cells that signals satiety (fullness) to the brain, helping to regulate long-term energy balance.
Example:
After eating a satisfying meal, the release of leptin helps you feel full and stop eating.
Motivation
The 'why' behind our actions; it refers to the processes that initiate, guide, and maintain goal-oriented behaviors.
Example:
Your motivation to study for the AP Psychology exam is driven by your desire for a good score.
Self-Determination Theory
A theory of motivation concerned with the innate psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness that foster personal growth and well-being.
Example:
Choosing your own research topic for a project can boost your engagement and sense of self-determination.
Sensation-Seeking Theory
A theory proposing that individuals differ in the optimal level of stimulation they prefer, with some seeking out more novel and intense experiences.
Example:
Someone who frequently tries extreme sports like bungee jumping might score high on measures of sensation-seeking.
Thrill and Adventure Seeking
A component of sensation-seeking involving a desire for physically risky activities that provide intense sensations.
Example:
A person who enjoys skydiving or whitewater rafting is likely high in thrill and adventure seeking.
Yerkes-Dodson Law
This law states that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases.
Example:
A moderate amount of anxiety before a presentation can enhance your focus and delivery, illustrating the Yerkes-Dodson Law.