1. AP PSYCHOLOGY UNIT VIII The nuts and bolts of Unit VIII. The, “It would behoove you to…” remember.

2. Homeostasis Think of homeostasis as the functioning of a thermostat in your home. A thermostat monitors and maintains a constant predetermined temperature. When the air becomes too hot, the thermostat activates the air conditioner to cool the air to a temperature preselected by the occupant. When the air becomes too cold, the thermostat activates the furnace to warm the air to the set temperature. Homeostasis, likewise, alerts the body when certain physiological systems become unbalanced.

3. AP TIP A past FRQ question asked students to give an example of the drive-reduction theory. Be prepared to explain how homeostasis is involved in the drive-reduction theory.

4. Optimum Arousal Theory What is the Yerkes-Dodson law? Ask yourself…What should my level of arousal be to OPTIMALLY perform a task? For example, if you are taking the ACT, and you have performance anxiety, you would want to have a low to moderate level of arousal…alert but not trembling with nervousness.

5. AP TIP Be prepared to explain how incentives can affect a person’s behavior and influence motivation.

6. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Think of the succession of the hierarchy of needs as high steps to a top floor. One must step on each step (level) to reach the top (self-actualization). If you don’t address each level, then the chances of reaching self-actualization are in doubt; if you don’t step on each step, you won’t reach the top floor – the steps are too big to allow you to skip any.

7. AP TIP Be prepared to identify which level is the highest in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Be prepared to explain how a person achieves self-actualization.

8. AP TIP Be prepared to identify which factors contribute to hunger and which to feelings of satiety. Be ready to explain which factors initiate and stop hunger.

9. AP TIP Be prepared to explain the role of the hypothalamus in hunger.

10. AP TIP Be prepared to explain which factors affect the BMR. Be prepared to explain the factors that contribute to obesity. Be ready to explain the disadvantages of the BMI, and how fat cells contribute to obesity.

11. AP TIP Be prepared to explain how eating disorders develop, as well as differences between anorexia and bulimia.

12. AP Tip An FRQ may ask you to explain how motivation affects emotion. Be prepared to define motivation and emotion and provide examples.

13. ANS and Emotions To remember how the autonomic nervous system affects emotions, think of situations in which your heart raced – perhaps in anticipation of bad or good news. For example, when you receive your AP exam score in the mail, your heart rate will probably accelerate before you even open the letter. Have you ever heard someone say of an angry person, “They’re getting hot under the collar?” In fact, it may be true, as body temperatures rise in response to anger. The expression, “She got cold feet” could also be factual, because fear lowers body temperature.

14. AP TIP A free-response question might ask you to identify the parts of the brain responsible for emotion. Be prepared to identify each part with an example.

15. AP TIP One possible free-response question might ask you to compare and contrast the major theories of emotion. Be prepared to define and give examples for each theory. James-Lange Theory – physiological response and a neuro-biological approach…see lion…first, run, then respond! vs. Cannon-Bard Theory – neuro-biological approach…simultaneously respond to lion (stimuli) vs. Schachter and Singer – cognitive approach – today’s view mostly…physical arousal and cognitive appraisal

16. AP TIP Be prepared to identify how certain factors can reduce stress. Also, be ready to explain the difference between Type A and Type B behavior…in relation to stress.

17. End-of-unit hints…Anorexia and Bulimia The key difference between an anorexic and bulimic is their weight. People who suffer from both disorders tend to be obsessed with food, and some anorexics even binge and purge. However, while anorexics are at least 15 percent below the typical weight of someone their age and size, bulimics’ weight tends to be average or even slightly above.

18. End-of-unit hints…Achievement motivation and optimum arousal Achievement motivation is different from optimum arousal. Achievement motivation involves meeting personal goals and acquiring new knowledge or skills. Optimum arousal indicates the general level of arousal a person is motivated to seek, whether or not the arousal is productive in meeting a goal. The concepts might overlap in a person. For example, a person with high achievement motivation might also have a high level of optimum arousal. However, the concepts refer to different aspects of motivation.

19. Theories (perspectives) of Motivation Review (Table 37.1) It would behoove you to revisit page 394. Instinct Theory/Evolutionary psychology – explores genetic influences on complex behaviors Drive-reduction Theory – explores how physiological needs create aroused tension states (drives) that direct us to satisfy those needs. Environmental incentives can intensify drives. Drive-reduction’s goal is homeostasis, maintaining a steady internal state Optimal Arousal Theory - proposes that some behaviors (such as those driven by curiosity) do not reduce physiological needs but rather are prompted by a search for an optimum level of arousal Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs proposes a pyramid of human needs, from basic needs such as hunger and thirst up to higher-level needs such as self-actualization and self- transcendence

20. End-of-unit hints…James-Lange Theory Is mentioned for historical purposes. Current theories about emotion demonstrate that, while biological changes are involved in emotions, they are not the sole cause of them.