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Specific Topics in Motivation

William Hill

William Hill

6 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers motivation with a focus on hunger, sexual, and social motivation. For hunger, it explores biological factors like the hypothalamus, hormones (ghrelin, leptin, etc.), and set-point theory. Sexual motivation covers Kinsey's research, the sexual response cycle, and hormonal influences. Lastly, it examines the importance of belonging in social motivation. The guide also provides exam tips and practice questions.

AP Psychology: Motivation - The Night Before 🚀

Hey! Let's make sure you're feeling super confident about motivation for tomorrow's exam. We'll break it down, connect the dots, and make it stick. You got this! 💪

Table of Contents

  1. Hunger Motivation 🍔
  2. Sexual Motivation 💋
  3. Social Motivation 🗣️
  4. Final Exam Focus 🎯
  5. Practice Questions 📝

🍔 Hunger Motivation

Let's dive into the science of why we eat! It's way more than just a rumbling tummy.

Key Concept

Key Concept: Hunger isn't just about an empty stomach; it's a complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors.

The Basics

  • Washburn & Cannon's Experiment: Remember this classic? Stomach contractions were initially thought to be the sole cause of hunger, but it's more complex than that.
  • Glucose: Your body's main energy source. When levels drop, hunger signals kick in.

The Brain's Role

  • Hypothalamus: The hunger control center!
    • ⬆️ Lateral Hypothalamus (LH): Stimulates hunger. Think Large Hunger. Produces orexin, a hunger-triggering hormone. Damage to LH = no desire to eat.
    • ⬇️ Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH): Stimulates satiety (feeling full). Damage to VMH = never feeling full.
Memory Aid

Mnemonic: Lateral = Let's eat! VentroMedial = Very full!

  • Other Players:
    • Thyroid: Regulates metabolism.
    • Pancreas: Regulates blood glucose (insulin).

Hormones & Neurotransmitters

  • ⬆️ Ghrelin: Increases hunger; secreted by an empty stomach.
  • ⬆️ Orexin: Increases hunger; secreted by the hypothalamus.
  • ⬇️ PYY: Decreases hunger; digestive tract hormone.
  • ⬇️ Leptin: Decreases hunger; protein hormone secreted by fat cells.
  • **...

Question 1 of 13

Ready to get started? 🚀 Which part of the brain is known as the hunger control center?

Cerebellum

Hypothalamus

Hippocampus

Amygdala