Question 1

How are psychological motives and biological motives related?

Accepted Answer

Psychological motives are not directly related to biological survival, as they often involve personal goals, desires, and social influences, whereas biological motives are directly related to survival and physiological needs.

Question 2

A parent who pays a child for good grades is offering the child _______ motivation.

Accepted Answer

Paying a child for good grades is an example of extrinsic motivation, where the motivation comes from an external source (in this case, the reward of money) rather than from within the individual (intrinsic motivation).

Question 3

Which of the following situations is a clear violation of the optimal level of arousal theory?

Accepted Answer

According to the optimal level of arousal theory, an individual performs best when their level of arousal is at an optimal point. If the level of arousal is too high or too low, performance declines. In the situation described in choice B, the student is already overburdened and starting a new job during finals week will likely increase their level of arousal beyond the optimal point, leading to a decline in performance.

Question 4

Jami has traced his restless feelings to the dull,repetitious,unexciting lifestyle he has been leading.He plans to bring some fun into his life by doing at least one highly physical activity each week.The source of Jami's motivation is most likely

Accepted Answer

Jami's desire to bring some fun into his life through physical activities suggests that he is seeking optimum arousal. This concept proposes that individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal or stimulation, and seek to increase or decrease it based on their current level. Jami is likely feeling understimulated and seeks to increase arousal through engaging in physical activities that are exciting and challenging.

Question 5

According to the Yerkes-Dodson law,performance is generally best under which condition?

Accepted Answer

The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that moderate arousal leads to optimal performance. When arousal levels are too low, performance can be lackluster due to a lack of motivation and focus. When arousal levels are too high, performance can be impaired due to anxiety and stress. Therefore, moderate arousal levels are ideal for optimal performance.

Question 6

The opponent-process principle of emotions is exemplified in which of the following situations?

Accepted Answer

The opponent-process principle suggests that emotions often have an opposing emotion that is triggered when the initial emotion is experienced. In this case, the excitement and thrill of the promotion is followed by a letdown, which is the opposing emotion.

Question 7

A child who cleans up his room every day because he wants his $2 allowance on Saturday is

Accepted Answer

The child is motivated by an external reward (the $2 allowance), indicating extrinsic motivation.

Question 8

Which of the following is best linked to the activity of the reticular formation?

Accepted Answer

The reticular formation is a network of neurons that are responsible for regulating arousal and attention in the brain. It is involved in keeping the brain alert and awake during periods of activity, and can also help to filter out distracting stimuli to help you focus on important tasks. Therefore, arousal is the best choice linked to the activity of the reticular formation.

Question 9

If you work very hard in your psychology class to avoid getting a low grade,then you would be said to have

Accepted Answer

Performance-avoidance goals are focused on avoiding failure and the negative outcomes of not performing well, such as getting a low grade. This motivation is driven by the desire to avoid the negative consequences of failing rather than the pursuit of learning or mastery.

Question 10

An internal desire to do good just for the sake of doing good is evidence of _______ motivation.

Accepted Answer

Internal desire to do good just for the sake of doing good is referred to intrinsic motivation. It arises from within an individual and drives them to engage in an activity for their personal satisfaction or enjoyment, rather than for external rewards or incentives. Choices A and B refer to extrinsic factors that may influence behavior, while option C is a specific type of extrinsic motivation where an individual is driven by external rewards or punishments.

Question 11

Generally speaking,humans prefer to have regular contact with other people,and this preference is known as

Accepted Answer

The need for affiliation is the desire to establish social connections and relationships with others. This is a fundamental human need and is recognized in many psychological theories. Self-actualization, the Yerkes-Dodson law, and optimal arousal theory may play a role in different aspects of human behavior but are not directly related to the preference for social contact.

Question 12

In a research study of achievement motivation,students who made the lowest grades in a course rated themselves low in the area of _______ at the beginning of the course.

Accepted Answer

Students who rated themselves low in the area of mastery goals at the beginning of a course are likely to have lower achievement motivation, leading to lower grades. Mastery goals focus on understanding and mastering the material for its own sake, which is crucial for academic success.

Question 13

Jim drinks on a daily basis because of the euphoria he feels.If you follow the opponent-process model,you would predict that over time Jim would feel his euphoria _______ intensely and his withdrawals _______ intensely.

Accepted Answer

The opponent-process model suggests that with repeated exposure to a stimulus (like alcohol), the initial response (euphoria) weakens while the opposite response (withdrawal) strengthens.

Question 14

Which of the following statements most accurately depicts what is meant by seeking novel stimulation? Humans and other animals tend to

Accepted Answer

Seeking novel stimulation refers to a tendency to seek out new or unfamiliar situations and environments. It is related to the need for exploration and variety. This behavior can be observed in both humans and animals, and it helps individuals to adapt and learn about their environment. Therefore, option B is the most accurate statement. Option A is incorrect because it suggests a preference for physical stimulation, whereas seeking novel stimulation is not limited to any specific type of stimulation. Option C and D are also incorrect because they do not reflect the nature of seeking novel stimulation.

Question 15

Too little arousal and performance may be inadequate;too much arousal and performance may be disrupted and disorganized.The notion that the optimal arousal level is somewhere between these two extremes is known as the

Accepted Answer

The Yerkes-Dodson law states that there is a relationship between arousal and performance, and that performance is best at a moderate level of arousal. This means that too little arousal can lead to inadequate performance, while too much arousal can disrupt and disorganize performance. The other options (A, B, and D) are theories or hypotheses about emotions and physiological processes, but they do not specifically address the relationship between arousal and performance.

Question 16

If you were a very good tennis player,having lots of people in the stands would likely

Accepted Answer

The presence of a large crowd can enhance a player's performance by increasing their arousal level, motivation and concentration. Tennis players often talk about the energy and adrenaline they feel when playing in front of a big audience, which can help them to stay focused and perform at their best. Therefore, having lots of people in the stands is likely to enhance rather than detract from a very good tennis player's performance.

Question 17

Which theory proposes that behavior may be aimed at increasing or decreasing alertness and activity depending on the circumstances?

Accepted Answer

The theory that proposes behavior may be aimed at increasing or decreasing alertness and activity depending on the circumstances is called the optimal level of arousal.

Question 18

In spite of the fact that he sold only two paintings in his entire life,Van Gogh painted for hours each day.He most likely was motivated by

Accepted Answer

Van Gogh's consistent painting despite lack of commercial success suggests that he was motivated by intrinsic factors, such as his passion for art and the personal satisfaction he felt from creating.

Question 19

Which of the following is the opponent-process theory particularly good at explaining?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the opponent-process...

Question 20

Which of the following statements is a component of Solomon's opponent-process theory of motivation?

Accepted Answer

According to Solomon's opponent-process theory of motivation, a positive feeling (such as euphoria from taking drugs) is followed by a contrasting negative feeling (such as withdrawal symptoms). This negative feeling becomes stronger over time, leading to a cycle of addiction. Therefore, choice C is a component of this theory.

Quiz 11: Motivation and Emotion