PSY 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Homeostasis, Sexual Arousal, Leptin

• School: University of Kentucky
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 100
• Professor: T B D

Document Summary

A need or desire that energizes behavior and directs it toward a goal. Instinct theory (evolutionary perspective: drive-reduction theory, arousal theory. Instinct: a complex behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species and is unlearned. Homeostasis: a state of internal physiological equilibrium that the body strives to maintain. Physiological disruptions to homeostasis produce drives (states of internal tension) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need. Need (e. g. for food, water) drive (hunger, thirst) drive-reducing behaviors (eating, drinking) Example hull (1943) reducing drives is the ultimate goal of motivated behavior. We are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal (a certain state of emotional, intellectual, and physical activity) The level of arousal considered optimal varies from person to person. Hierarchy of needs: there are some lower level needs that need to be met before we can strive for higher level needs. Physiological needs: needs for food, water, shelter and sleep.