1. Motivation, Emotion, and Stress
Unit 8
Motivation, Emotion, and Stress

2. Unit 8
Day 1 – The Basis of Motivation (Module 37) Day 2 – Hunger and Sex (Modules 38 & 39) Day 3 – The Need to Belong (Module 40) and Week 1 Vocabulary Quiz Day 4 – Theories of Emotion and Detection (Modules 41 & 42) Day 5 – Stress and Unit 8 Review (Modules 43 & 44) Day 6 – CUA 8!

3. Module 37: The Basics of Motivation

4. What is motivation? Motivation
A need, desire, or purpose that directs and organizes behavior

5. Instincts
Instinct
A “fixed pattern” of behavior; complex and unlearned, present in all members of a species
Humans vs. animals
Human behavior is adaptational – instinct theory does NOT explain human adult behavior
Animal behavior is rigid – birds can only build one kind of nest, humans can build multiple kinds of shelter

6. Drive and Drive-Reduction
Drive-reduction theory
Human behavior revolves around REDUCING drives, creating homeostasis – a balance in internal biochemistry, temperature, etc.
A need creates a drive, which we satisfy through drive-reducing behaviors
Key Point #1: What is the difference between instinct theory and drive-reduction theory?

7. Optimal Arousal
However, drive-reduction has a problem – what human behavior does it NOT explain?
Yerkes-Dodson law – or, optimal arousal theory
The law that there is an appropriate (optimal) level of arousal that humans are motivated to maintain
Helps explain why some humans run marathons (sense of accomplishment), solve puzzles (sense of mastery), etc., DESPITE that these can cause stress, anxiety, and plain
Key Point #2: How does the Yerkes-Dodson law of optimal arousal fix a problem within drive-reduction theory?

8. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Answers the question “why do some humans but not others pursue optimal arousal”?
Hierarchy – an order; in this case, of human needs (six)
Note: In SOME cases, the 5th and 6th needs are grouped together, or the 6th is ignored
Additionally, sometimes people “violate” the hierarchy – ignore the need of belonging to found a company (self-actualization) or like Gandhi, ignore food needs for self-transendence

9. Motivational Theories Strengths and Weaknesses