Motivation and Emotion
What to know
Motivation theories include instinct/evolutionary, drive-reduction (homeostasis; Clark Hull), arousal (Yerkes-Dodson: moderate arousal optimizes performance, with the optimum varying by task difficulty), incentive, and Maslow's hierarchy (physiological needs first, self-actualization at the top). Intrinsic motivation comes from within; extrinsic from external rewards-overjustification can undermine intrinsic interest.
Hunger and sex
Hunger involves the hypothalamus (lateral = hunger, ventromedial = satiety), glucose, insulin, leptin, and set point. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Sexual motivation involves biology and culture; Masters and Johnson described the sexual response cycle (excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution).
Emotion
Major theories: James-Lange (body first, then emotion), Cannon-Bard (simultaneous arousal and emotion), Schachter-Singer two-factor (arousal plus cognitive label), and Lazarus (appraisal). The facial-feedback hypothesis says expressions influence feelings. Basic emotions (Ekman) show cross-cultural facial recognition. Achievement motivation and the need for achievement influence goal choice.
Traps
Questions test whether arousal precedes or coincides with emotion-know the sequence each theory claims. Confuse lateral/ventromedial hypothalamus at your peril. Yerkes-Dodson: easy tasks tolerate higher arousal; hard tasks need lower.
Rule of thumb
Identify whether a theory says body→emotion (James-Lange), body+emotion together (Cannon-Bard), or body+label→emotion (two-factor). The label is the deciding detail.