PSY-1200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 32: Homeostasis, Blood Sugar

• School: Vanderbilt University
• Department: Psychology (A&S)
• Course: PSY-1200
• Professor: Sandberg Elisabeth

Document Summary

Today motivation is de ned as the need or desire that energizes and directs behavior. Instinct theory was replaced by the evolutionary perspective but focuses on genetically predisposed behaviors: failed to explain many human motives. Drive-reduction theory focuses on how inner pushes and external pulls interact. Arousal theory focuses on nding the correct level of stimulation. Hierarchy of needs (maslow) describes how some needs take priority over others: instincts and evolutionary psychology. In order for something to be an instinct the behavior must have a xed pattern throughout a species and be unlearned. Although human behavior also exhibits unlearned, xed patterns, many still believe human behavior is directed by both physiological needs and psychological wants: drives and incentives. The physiological aim of drive reduction is homeostasis (maintaining a steady internal state: we are pushed to reduce drives and pulled by incentives. Incentives can be positive or negative stimuli from our environment: need + incentive = strong drive, optimum arousal.