Motivation & Emotion
- Compare drive-reduction, arousal, and hierarchy-of-needs theories of motivation
- Explain major theories of emotion and their sequence of events
- Apply the Yerkes–Dodson law to performance
Theories of motivation
Several theories explain what drives behavior. Drive-reduction theory says a physiological need creates an aroused drive that pushes us to restore homeostasis (balance), as thirst drives drinking. But we also seek arousal: arousal theory holds we act to maintain an optimal level of stimulation, not just to reduce it (curiosity, seeking excitement). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs arranges motives in a pyramid — physiological, then safety, love/belonging, esteem, and finally self-actualization — arguing lower needs generally must be met before higher ones drive behavior.
Arousal and performance: Yerkes–Dodson
Motivation and performance are linked by arousal. The Yerkes–Dodson law states that performance is best at a moderate level of arousal — too little leaves us flat, too much makes us anxious and error-prone. The optimal level depends on task difficulty: easy or well-practiced tasks are performed best under higher arousal, while difficult or novel tasks are performed best under lower arousal. This inverted-U relationship explains why a little pressure sharpens a routine task but the same pressure can wreck a hard, unfamiliar one.
Theories of emotion
Theories of emotion differ on the order of events. The James–Lange theory says we feel emotion because we notice our bodily arousal ("I’m trembling, so I must be afraid") — arousal comes first, then emotion. The Cannon–Bard theory says the arousal and the emotion happen simultaneously and independently. The Schachter–Singer two-factor theory says emotion requires both physical arousal and a cognitive label for that arousal — we interpret the arousal based on context. The Lazarus appraisal view adds that a cognitive appraisal of the situation, even unconscious, precedes emotion.
A person’s heart pounds as they walk down a dark alley, and because of the eerie setting they interpret this arousal as fear. Yet the same racing heart at a surprise party would be labeled excitement. Which theory of emotion best explains this, and why?
- 1.Note the common element: the physical arousal (pounding heart) is the same in both situations.
- 2.Note what changes the emotion: the interpretation differs based on context — a dark alley versus a party.
- 3.Match to the theory: emotion arising from arousal plus a cognitive label of that arousal is the Schachter–Singer two-factor theory.
- 4.Explain the fit: because the same arousal is labeled differently depending on the situation, both a physical and a cognitive factor are required, exactly what two-factor theory predicts.
A student performs best on an easy, well-rehearsed spelling task when moderately-to-highly aroused, but chokes on a difficult new calculus problem under that same high arousal, doing better when calmer. This pattern is explained by:
Distinguish the emotion theories by sequence: James–Lange = arousal → then emotion; Cannon–Bard = arousal and emotion at the same time; Schachter–Singer = arousal plus a cognitive label. If a scenario hinges on interpreting or labeling arousal, it is two-factor.
A man who has not eaten or slept for two days shows little interest in pursuing a promotion or creative project, focusing only on finding food and rest. According to Maslow, this is because:
For Yerkes–Dodson, remember the inverted-U and the task twist: moderate arousal is best overall, but easy/practiced tasks favor higher arousal and hard/novel tasks favor lower arousal. Naming both the peak and the difficulty adjustment earns full credit.
Answer the 2 checkpoints as you read.
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