Module 54: Sexual Motivation

This module explores the physiological and psychological aspects of sexual motivation, another key topic in AP psychology unit 7 motivation, emotion, and personality.

The physiology of sex is heavily influenced by hormones, particularly estrogens in females and testosterone in males. These hormones play crucial roles in sexual development and behavior:

1. Direct sexual development in the prenatal period
2. Trigger development of sexual characteristics in adolescence
3. Help activate sexual behavior from puberty onward

Highlight: While hormones significantly influence sexual behavior in many species, their effect on human sexual behavior is less direct and more complex.

The module emphasizes that for most individuals, dating and mating become a priority from puberty onward. However, it's important to note that a small fraction of the population identifies as asexual, experiencing little or no sexual attraction.

Vocabulary: Asexuality refers to the lack of sexual attraction to others or low or absent interest in sexual activity.

The psychological aspects of sexual motivation are influenced by various factors, including cultural norms, individual experiences, and personal preferences. These factors interact with biological drives to shape human sexual behavior.

Example: Cultural attitudes towards sexuality can significantly impact individual sexual expression and behavior, demonstrating the interplay between biological and social influences.

Understanding sexual motivation is crucial for comprehending human behavior and relationships. It also has important implications for fields such as health psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology.

Module 52: Motivational Concepts

This module introduces fundamental theories and concepts related to motivation in psychology. Motivation is defined as a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior toward a goal. The module covers several key theories of motivation.

Instinct Theory posits that there is a genetic basis for unlearned, species-typical behavior. This theory has largely been replaced by the evolutionary perspective, which focuses on genetically predisposed behaviors.

Example: Birds building nests or infants rooting for a nipple are examples of instinctive behaviors.

Drive Reduction Theory explains how physiological needs create aroused, motivated states called drives that push us to reduce those needs. This theory is closely linked to the concept of homeostasis.

Definition: Drive Reduction theory AP Psychology Definition states that when a physiological need increases, so does our psychological drive to reduce it, leading to drive-reduction behaviors.

Example: A drive reduction theory ap Psychology example would be feeling hungry (drive) leading to eating (drive-reduction behavior).

Incentive Theory suggests that behavior is motivated by a desire for reinforcement or incentives, which can be positive or negative environmental stimuli.

Arousal Theory proposes that we are motivated to seek an optimum level of arousal. This theory is related to the Yerkes-Dodson Law AP psychology definition, which states that a degree of psychological arousal helps performance, but only to a point.

Highlight: The Yerkes-Dodson Law shows that moderate arousal leads to optimal performance, with the optimal level depending on the difficulty of the task.

The module concludes with an introduction to Maslow's hierarchy of needs and self transcendence overview. This theory, proposed by humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow, states that we are motivated by needs, and these needs are hierarchical.

Vocabulary: Self-transcendence refers to the highest level in Maslow's expanded hierarchy, where people strive for meaning, purpose, and communion beyond the self.