Question 1

Few human behaviors are rigidly patterned enough to qualify as

Accepted Answer

Instincts refer to innate, biologically-based patterns of behavior that are present in a species from birth and do not require learning or experience to manifest. Examples of human behaviors that are considered instincts include reflexes like blinking and sneezing, as well as innate patterns of behavior like the rooting and sucking reflexes in infants. Needs, drives, and incentives are all psychological constructs that can influence behavior, but they are not as rigidly patterned or biologically-based as instincts.

Question 2

After spending years in the ocean, a mature salmon swims up its home river to return to its birthplace. This behavior is an example of

Accepted Answer

This behavior is a classic example of an instinct, a natural behavior that is genetically programmed and does not require learning or experience. The salmon's journey to its birthplace is triggered by biological cues and has been observed in multiple populations of salmon, indicating its instinctual nature. Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of internal physiological balance, a set point is a reference or target value for a physiological variable, and a drive is a motivational state that compels an organism to act in a certain way to address a physiological need or desire, none of which fully describe the behavior of the salmon.

Question 3

Instinct theory and drive-reduction theory both emphasize ________ factors in motivation.

Accepted Answer

Instinct theory and drive-reduction theory both emphasize biological factors in motivation. Instinct theory proposes that humans and animals have innate biological instincts that drive behavior, while drive-reduction theory suggests that physiological needs drive behavior to restore homeostasis. Both of these theories emphasize biological factors as the source of motivation.

Question 4

Feelings of hunger accompany ________ levels of blood glucose and ________ levels of ghrelin.

Accepted Answer

Hunger is caused by low levels of blood glucose and high levels of ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates appetite. Therefore, the correct answer is C, which indicates low levels of blood glucose and high levels of ghrelin.

Question 5

According to health psychologists, which of the following would be the BEST advice to offer someone who wants to lose excess weight?

Accepted Answer

Health psychologists recommend a long-term, sustainable approach to weight loss that involves changes in diet and exercise habits for lifelong maintenance. Avoiding certain foods or believing that weight loss will solve all self-esteem issues is not necessarily helpful or realistic. Additionally, appetite reduction can vary greatly based on individual factors and should not be relied upon as the sole solution for weight loss.

Question 6

In a classic experiment, obese patients whose daily caloric intake was dramatically reduced lost only 6 percent of their weight. This limited weight loss was due, at least in part, to the fact that their dietary restriction led to a(n)

Accepted Answer

When dietary intake is reduced, the body's metabolism may slow down in order to conserve energy, which can limit weight loss. This is likely what occurred in the case of the obese patients in the experiment. A decrease in ghrelin secretion (A) would actually be expected to decrease hunger and promote weight loss, while an elevation of set points (B) or blood glucose levels (D) would not directly affect weight loss in the same way as a decrease in metabolic rate.

Question 7

Which of the following is a difference between a drive and a need?

Accepted Answer

Needs refer to physiological states of the body, such as the need for food, water, and sleep. Drives, on the other hand, are psychological states that compel us to take certain actions to fulfill our needs. For example, hunger (a need) can lead to a drive to seek out and consume food.

Question 8

One problem with the idea of motivation as drive reduction is that

Accepted Answer

The idea of motivation as drive reduction is limited in its ability to explain motivated behaviors that are not based on physiological needs. This suggests that it cannot be the sole explanation for motivation.

Question 9

The brain area known as the arcuate nucleus is notable in the study of motivation because it

Accepted Answer

The arcuate nucleus is known to secrete hormones that affect appetite, making it an important brain area in the regulation of motivation related to food consumption. Choices B, C, and D are not supported by research on the arcuate nucleus.

Question 10

The text suggests that a neophobia for unfamiliar tastes

Accepted Answer

The text mentions that neophobia for unfamiliar tastes may have protected our ancestors from potentially toxic substances, implying that this trait was evolutionarily advantageous. The text does not provide information to support the other answer choices.

Question 11

Which of the following is a hunger-arousing hormone secreted by the hypothalamus?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a hunger-arousing...

Question 12

Motivation is best understood as a state that

Accepted Answer

Motivation not only energizes an organism to act, but it also directs that behavior towards a specific goal or objective.

Question 13

Need is to ________ as drive is to ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Need is to ________ as drive is...

Question 14

Increases in insulin will

Accepted Answer

Insulin lowers blood sugar by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, which can lead to hunger as the body seeks to replenish glucose levels.

Question 15

Some students work hard in school to attain high grades. This best illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

The concept of incentives refers to something that motivates our behavior, such as a reward or punishment. In this case, the students are motivated to work hard in school by the incentive of high grades. Homeostasis and set points refer to the body's internal balance and regulation, while instincts are innate behaviors that do not necessarily require motivation or learning.

Question 16

One shortcoming of the instinct theory of motivation is that it

Accepted Answer

The instinct theory of motivation does not explain human behaviors, it merely describes them. It is limited in its ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of human motivation.

Question 17

One gene scan of 40,000 people worldwide identified a variant of a gene called FTO. This gene nearly doubles the risk of

Accepted Answer

The variant of the FTO gene nearly doubles the risk of obesity, according to the gene scan of 40,000 people worldwide.

Question 18

Our weight thermostats are somewhat flexible and are influence by environmental as well as biological factors. Some researchers have therefore adopted the term

Accepted Answer

The term "settling point" refers to the idea that our weight is influenced by both biological and environmental factors, and that it can fluctuate within a range of about 10-15 pounds depending on these factors. This concept allows for some flexibility in our weight regulation, rather than a fixed set point or rigid weight thermostat. Therefore, the best choice is D: settling point.

Question 19

By motivating us to satisfy our physical needs, hunger and thirst serve to

Accepted Answer

Hunger and thirst motivate us to eat and drink in order to maintain homeostasis, which is the body's state of balance and stability. Homeostasis is critical for optimal bodily function, and hunger and thirst play an important role in helping us maintain it. A raised set point would indicate a higher threshold for hunger and thirst, which is not the case. Lowered hormone levels and lessened basal metabolic rate are not directly related to hunger and thirst.

Question 20

In their study of men on a semistarvation diet, researchers found that

Accepted Answer

The study found that the men became obsessed with food, often talking about it and even hoarding food. This behavior supports the idea that when a basic physiological need (such as hunger) is not being adequately met, it can become dominant in one's thoughts and behavior, contradicting Maslow's hierarchy of needs that suggests higher level needs, such as self-actualization, would remain important even when basic needs are not being met.

Quiz 32: Basic Motivational Concepts and Hunger