motivation
A character's incentive or reason for behaving in a certain manner; that which impels a character to act
instinct
a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned
Drive-Redcution Theory
the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need
homeostasis
A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal (physical + mental) state
incentive
a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior
Yerkes-Dodson Law
the principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases
heirarchy of needs
Maslow's pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs that must first be satisfied before higher level safety needs and then psychological needs become active. (Physiological, Safety, Belongingness/Love, Esteem, Self-actualization)
glucose
A simple sugar that is an important source of energy; when its level is low, we feel hunger
set point
the point at which one's body tries maintain weight (+/-5 lbs.)
Basal Metabolic Rate
the body rate of energy/calories burned at a resting state
Sexual Response Cycle
the four stages of sexual responding described by Masters and Johnson - excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution
Refractory period
the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated
Sexual dysfunction
a disorder marked by a persistent inability to function normally in some area of the sexual response cycle
estrogen
A sex hormone, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males
Testosterone
a sex hormone secreted in greater amounts by males than by females
emotion
a response of the whole organism, involving, physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience
James-Lang Theory
Arousal comes before emotion
Cannon-Bard Theory
emotion and arousal occur simultaneously
two-factor theory
the Schachter-Singer theory that emotions have two ingredients: physical arousal and cognitive appraisal.
polygraph
a machine that writes down many different changes in the body while the person answers questions; a lie detector test
facial feedback effect
the tendency of facial muscle states to trigger corresponding feelings such as fear, anger, or happiness
health psychology
a subfield of psychology that provides psychology's contribution to behavioral medicine
stress
the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands
general adaption syndrome
Selye's concept of the body's adaptive response to stress in three phases—alarm, resistance, exhaustion
tend-and-befriend response
under stress, people (especially women) often provide support to others (tend) and bond with and seek support from others (befriend)
psychophysiological illness
"mind-body" illness; any stress related physical illness such as hypertension and headaches
Psychoneuroimmunology
the study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine processes together affect the immune system and resulting health; aka BIOFEEDBACK
Lymphocytes
The two types of white blood cells that are part of the body's immune system: B lymphocytes form in the bone marrow and release antibodies that fight bacterial infections; T lymphocytes form in the thymus and other lymphatic tissue and attack cancer cells, viruses, and foreign substances.
coronary heart disease
the clogging of the vessels that nourish the heart muscle
Type A
a term used for competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and angry-prone people
Type B
refers to easygoing, relaxed people