Motivation and Emotion
This domain tests the dynamics of motivation and the major theories of emotion, including their physiological and cognitive components.
Motivation
Motivation energises and directs behaviour. Needs create drives; incentives are external pulls. Intrinsic motivation arises from interest; extrinsic motivation from rewards. Homeostasis restores equilibrium. Maslow's hierarchy runs from physiological needs through safety, belonging, esteem and self-actualisation. McClelland identified achievement, power and affiliation motives; high achievers prefer moderate risk and feedback.
Emotion
Emotions have subjective, physiological, cognitive and behavioural components. James–Lange: bodily changes come first, then the feeling. Cannon–Bard: physiological arousal and emotion occur simultaneously. Schachter–Singer two-factor theory: arousal plus cognitive label produces emotion. Lazarus: cognitive appraisal precedes emotion. Facial feedback suggests expressions influence feelings.
Worked example
A person notices her heart racing, then labels the situation as an exam and feels fear. This fits Schachter–Singer: undifferentiated arousal plus a cognitive label yields the specific emotion.
Traps
James–Lange is not Cannon–Bard; in Cannon–Bard the arousal and emotion are simultaneous. Intrinsic motivation is not driven by external reward. Maslow's hierarchy is not a rigid sequence for every person. Arousal alone does not specify which emotion.