Module 7: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress
Motivation and emotions are essential parts of the study of psychology because they play such important roles in everyday life. For example, they help guide behavior, make decisions, and have a major impact on mental and physical health.
In contrast to cognitive processes that are calm, collected, and frequently rational, emotions and motivations involve arousal, or our experiences of the bodily responses created by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). When you experience emotions or strong motivations, you feel the experiences. Too much arousal can lead to negative effects of stress, and affect physical and psychological well-being.
Whether it is the thrill of a roller-coaster ride that causes you to scream expectantly, or the flush of embarrassment from seeing a crush, emotions move your actions and are tied to motivation. Emotions and motivations can be positive, such as feeling proud of a job well done. However, emotions can also be destructive, such as feeling frustrated and taking it out on others who do not deserve it.
Getting Started
Consider the following scenario: On March 20, a parent from Cameron Ranch Elementary School hit a speed bump, which sparked his car to catch on fire in front of the school. Witnesses said the SUV appeared to be leaking some sort of gas or liquid right before it caught fire. At the time of the accident, Elaine Johnson, a second grade teacher, was in the school parking lot assisting students. She ran to the car to help the father and his two children get out as they struggled with their seatbelts. Parents and community members called Elaine a hero.
What do you think motivated the teacher to take action, despite the risk of putting herself in danger? Also, think about all of the emotions she must have felt during and after this experience. How do you think it affected her physically?
Key Vocabulary
To view the definitions for these vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.
| Abraham Maslow | Hans Selye | need |
| alarm | homostasis | resistance |
| arousal theory | James-Lange Theory of Emotion | self-actualization |
| Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion | Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs | stress |
| drive reduction theory | mindfulness | stressors |
| exhaustion | motivation | Two-Factor Theory of Cognitive Appraisal |
| General Adaptation Syndrome |