PS102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Prefrontal Cortex, Tegmentum, Nucleus Accumbens
Document Summary
Motivation an internal state or condition that directs behavior. Behavior is motivated by instincts that are inborn and that are activated by environmental stimuli. Behavior is motivated by biological needs to maintain the body in a state of balance or equilibrium. Behavior is motivated by the need to achieve optimum levels of arousal. Behavior is motivated by internal (intrinsic) or external (extrinsic) incentives or rewards. Behavior is motivated by the current most basic need, when different motives compete; basic survival needs must be satisfied first before we are motivated to satisfy high-level needs such as belonging and self-esteem. Instinct theory: people are motivated by their biological (innate) instincts. Instincts inborn behavioral tendencies, activated by stimuli in our environments. A physiological need creates an aroused state that motivates us to reduce that need. Arousal theory: we are motivated to pursue an optimal level of stimulation (arousal) Yerkes-dodson law: performance on a task is best when the arousal level is optimal.
