PSYC 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Hypothalamus, Fidgeting, Energy Homeostasis

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1000
• Professor: Paula Barata

Document Summary

The physiological and psychological processes underlying the initiation of behaviours that direct organisms toward speci c goals. A process that in uences: direction (activation, persistence, vigour (intensity) Measurement of motivation: often inferred through behaviour. Motivated (pushed) by the need to reduce drives. Homeostasis: a tendency to maintain a balanced internal state or physiological equilibrium. Physiology of hunger: empty / full stomach. Stomach contraptions and release of hormones (e. g. , ghrelin) Full stomach releases different hormones (cck: levels of glucose (low = hunger) A sugar that serves as an energy source: hypothalamus. Different areas regulate appetite suppression (ventromedial & paraventricular regions) and appetite stimulation (lateral region) Detects changes in stomach (through hormone release) Psychology of hunger: sights and smells of food. E. g sugar releases dopamine in the nucleus accumbens: variety of food, time of day (time since last meal, stress and mood. Stress may indicate the need for future resources (allostasis) Naturally through energy homeostasis we maintain our set point.