Module 37 REVIEW

• 37-1 How do psychologists define motivation? From what perspectives do they view motivated behavior?

• Motivation is a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.
• The instinct theory 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, and we can be motivated intrinsically or extrinsically. 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. The Yerkes-Dodson law states that performance increases with arousal, but only to a certain point, after which it decreases. Performance peaks at lower levels of arousal for difficult tasks, and at higher levels for easy or well-learned tasks.
• 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.

• 37-2 Why is the idea that some needs are more compelling than others a useful framework for thinking about motivation?

• Theories such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs address the fact that some needs take priority. Although the order of this hierarchy is not universally fixed (as seen when people refuse to eat to make a political statement), worldwide surveys support this basic idea.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Instinct theory is related to the _____ perspective of psychology.
   1. motivational
   2. evolutionary
   3. arousal
   4. drive-reduction
   5. self-actualization
2. Karl is hungry, so he eats a hamburger and does not feel hungry anymore. Karl’s hunger can best be described as a(n)
   1. drive.
   2. instinct.
   3. incentive.
   4. reflex.
   5. extrinsic reward.
3. Which of the following is a conclusion that can be drawn from the Yerkes-Dodson law?
   1. Performance on easy tasks is best when arousal is low.
   2. Performance is best when arousal is extremely high.
   3. Performance is best when arousal is extremely low.
   4. Performance on difficult tasks is best when arousal is high.
   5. Performance is best when arousal is moderate.
4. Which of the following is the most basic motive in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
   1. Belongingness and love needs
   2. Physiological needs
   3. Esteem needs
   4. Self-actualization needs
   5. Self-transcendence needs
5. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs would have difficulty explaining why
   1. a person in a war zone is not interested in being self-actualized.
   2. a lonely person does not look beyond themselves to find their identity.
   3. a hungry person works hard to feed herself.
   4. a prisoner engages in a hunger strike to improve their cell conditions.
   5. a teenager with many friends works to earn the respect of his elders.

Practice FRQs

1. How can you use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to explain why
   • a hungry young person would steal?
   • a lonely new student in a school would join a club?
   • a successful artist would continue to invest tremendous effort in her career?

Answer

1 point: A hungry young person would steal because of a physiological need. Page 405

1 point: A lonely new student would join a club to meet belongingness and love needs. Page 405

1 point: A successful artist would still work hard to satisfy the need for self-actualization. Page 405

2. Describe how the following motivational theories could explain a young man’s desire to become an excellent soccer player:
   • Incentive
   • Arousal
   • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

(3 points)