Arousal Theory and Cognitive Dissonance

This page continues the discussion of motivational theories, focusing on the Yerkes-Dodson Law (Arousal Theory) and Cognitive Dissonance Theory.

The Yerkes-Dodson Law, also known as Arousal Theory, is a psychological concept that relates performance to arousal levels:

Highlight: The Yerkes-Dodson Law suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance, which varies depending on the difficulty of the task.

The theory is illustrated with a graph showing how performance changes with arousal levels for both easy and difficult tasks. This concept is crucial for understanding how motivation affects performance in various situations.

Example: Low arousal might lead to falling asleep during a test, resulting in poor performance.

The page then introduces Cognitive Dissonance Theory, developed by Festinger:

Definition: Cognitive dissonance occurs when our thoughts are inconsistent or when attitudes don't match actions.

Example: Knowing the importance of social distancing but going outside without a mask is an instance of cognitive dissonance.

The page also touches on hunger motivation, introducing key concepts such as glucose and its role in energy regulation:

Vocabulary: Glucose is a form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissues.

Definition: Set point is the point at which an individual's "weight thermostat" is supposedly set.

Vocabulary: Basal Metabolic Rate refers to the body's base rate of energy expenditure.

These concepts are essential for the AP Psych motivation and emotion study guide and will likely appear in AP psychology motivation and emotion practice tests.

Basic Concepts of Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

This section introduces fundamental concepts in motivation, emotion, and personality, which comprise 11-15% of the AP Psychology exam.

Motivation is defined as a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior. The guide distinguishes between two types of motivation:

Definition: Extrinsic motivation refers to motivation from external rewards such as grades, salary, or applause.

Definition: Intrinsic motivation comes from internal rewards like enjoyment, personal satisfaction, or fulfillment.

The concept of achievement motivation is introduced as a desire for significant accomplishment, mastery, or attaining high standards.

Vocabulary: Self-efficacy, a term coined by Bandura, refers to one's belief in their ability to accomplish a task.

An important phenomenon discussed is overjustification, where external rewards can decrease intrinsic motivation for an activity one already enjoys.

Example: Athletes who initially play a sport for enjoyment may experience decreased intrinsic motivation once they start getting paid for it.

This section provides a solid foundation for understanding the complex factors that drive human behavior and emotions, essential knowledge for the AP Psychology motivation and emotion practice test.