PSYC 1010 Lecture Notes - Bulimia Nervosa, Paraventricular Nucleus Of Hypothalamus, Ventromedial Nucleus Of The Hypothalamus

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1010
• Professor: all

Document Summary

Drive theories apply a homeostatic model to motivation. They assume that organisms seek to reduce unpleasant states of tension called drives. In contrast, incentive theories emphasize how external goals energize behaviour. Evolutionary theorists explain motives in terms of their adaptive value. Madsen s list of biological needs and murray s list of social needs illustrate that a diverse array of motive govern human behaviour. Eating is regulated by a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors. In the brain, the lateral and ventromedial areas of the hypothalamus were once viewed as on-off centres for the control of hunger, but their exact role is now unclear. Recent research suggests that hunger is regulated by neural circuits rather than anatomical centres in the brain. Fluctuations in blood glucose also seem to play a role in hunger, but the exact location of the glucostats and their mode of functioning are yet to be determined.