Gretel’s AP Psychology Blog

Motivation: a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior  Motivation  Instinct Theory : we are motivated by our inborn automated behaviors  Drive-Reduction Theory : the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need  we are not only pushed by our needs, but pulled by our incentives: a positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior  Hunger hunger is both physiological and psychological  Biological Basis of Hunger hunger does NOT come from our stomach  hunger comes from our brain; the hypothalamus  Hypothalamus  Lateral Hypothalamus : when stimulated it makes you hungry  Ventromedial Hypothalamus : when stimulated you feel full  Eating Disorders  Bulimia Nervosa : characterized by binging (eating large amounts of food) and purging (getting r...

LEARNING A relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience . the process by which experience/practice results in a relatively permanent change in behavior or potential behavior. How Do We Learn  associative learning- learning that certain events occur together   Classical Conditioning  the type of learning in which a response naturally elicited by one stimulus becomes to be elicited by a different formally neutral stimulus  Pavlov and Watson  UCS, UCR, CS, CR Operant Conditioning the type of learning in which behaviors are emitted to earn rewards or avoid punishments B.F. Skinner  Reinforcement & Punishment  Social Cognitive Learning Theory  the type of learning in which behaviors are learned by observing a model  Albert Bandura  Modeling  Classical Conditioning  an INVOLUNTARY behavior is determined by what PRECEDES it. Unconditioned Stimulu...

States of Consciousness  WHAT IS "CONSCIOUSNESSES"? - conscious is our awareness of ourselves and our surroundings.  DAYSDREAMS: - help prepare us for future events.  - they can help us with our social development  - can substitute for impulsive behaviors  BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS: - Annual cycle; seasonal variations (bears hibernation, seasonal affective disorder)  24 hour cycle- menstrual  28 day cycle- our circadian  90 minute cycle- sleep cycle  CIRCADIAN RHYTHM: - our 24 hour biological clock.  -your body temperature and awareness changes throughout the day -it is best to take a test or study during your circadian peaks.  SLEEP STAGES: - 5 stages of sleep - Takes about 90-100 minutes to pass through the 5 stages - Brain waves change according to the sleep stage you’re in - First four stages= NREM sleep - The fifth stage is called REM sleep ...

Parts Of The Brain  Hind:  Structure that is on top of the spinal cord  Controls our basic biological structures  Medulla: Located just above the spinal cord  It is involved in the control of breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure The Pons: Located just above the Medulla connects the Hind brain, The Mid brain, and the Hind brain.  It is involved in facial expressions  Cerebellum: It is the bottom rear of the brain It is known as the little brain It coordinated fine muscle movements  The Midbrain:  Coordinates simple movements with sensory information  Most known as the reticular formation. Controls arousal and the ability to control our attention.    Forebrain: What makes us human  It is the largest part of the brain  It is made up of the thalamus, the limbic system and the cerebral cortex Thalamus:   Switchboard of the b...