PSYCH 1010: Test 3 Questions and All
Actual Answers 2026 Updated.
What are the 6 major approaches for motivation? - Answer Instinct, drive-reduction, arousal,
incentive, cognitive, Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Motivation: instinct - Answer unlearned patterns of responding, innate behaviors for survival
Motivation: what are 3 things that instinct theory can't explain? - Answer 1) there isn't
consensus on how many primary instincts exist
2) doesn't clearly explain why behavior patterns are in one species but not another
3) human behavior isn't entirely instinctual because of complexity and variety.
Motivation: Drive Reduction - Answer - motivational (aroused) states that result from unmet
physical needs
- drives are created to maintain a balanced physiological state (homeostasis)
- e.g. hunger drive (as hunger increases, so does drive to eat)
Drive reduction: primary drive (give examples) - Answer drives related to the biological needs
or the needs of the species as a whole, e.g. hunger, sleep
Drive reduction: secondary drive (give examples) - Answer drives that prior experience and
learning bring, e.g. knowledge, achievement, finances
Instinct theory: baby reflexes - Answer reflexes are unlearned, involuntary responses that
happen when certain stimuli appear.
Name 5 baby reflexes - Answer Rooting reflex, sucking reflex, gag reflex, startle reflex,
Babinski reflex
Baby reflexes: Babinski - Answer toes fan out when sole of foot is touched
Baby Reflexes: Rooting - Answer babies turn their heads towards things that touch their
cheeks, e.g. nipple or bottle
Baby Reflexes: sucking - Answer sucking at things that touch their lips
,Baby reflexes: gag reflex - Answer clearing the throat
Baby reflexes: startle reflex (3 parts) - Answer series of movements where baby flings out the
arms, fans, fingers, arches back in response to sudden noise
Motivation: how is drive reduction a form of negative feedback? - Answer Unmet biological
needs are "negative" feedback, discomfort (hunger) occurs until need is met.
Motivation: what is drive-reduction theory good at explaining? - Answer Attempts to fill the
theoretical gap with instinct theory. Good explanation of how primary drives motivate
behaviour.
Motivation: what is something that drive reduction theory can't explain? (give example) -
Answer Can't fully explain a behaviour in which the goal is not to reduce a drive, but rather to
maintain or even increase the level of excitement or arousal, e.g. liking rollercoasters
Motivation: Arousal - Answer People are motivated to maintain a level of arousal optimal for
their functioning.
Motivation: what is the role of homeostasis in Arousal theory? - Answer Homeostasis brings
body functions back to normal using feedback loops. If our stimulation levels become too high,
we try to reduce them. If the levels of stimulation are too low, we will try to increase them by
seeking stimulation.
Motivation: what is the relationship between arousal level and performance? Give examples. -
Answer Increased arousal can help improve performance, but only up to a certain point. At
the point when arousal becomes excessive, performance diminishes.
Example: An optimal level of stress can motivate you to study, but too much test anxiety can
impair your ability to concentrate.
Motivation: Incentive theory - Answer Motivation comes from desire for external rewards.
This directs and energize behaviour (grades, money, love), even if we lack internal biological
cues (see instinct theory or drive reduction theory)
Motivation: Cognitive Theory - Answer Motivation is a product of people's thoughts,
expectations, and goals—their cognitions. Distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic
motivation.
Motivation: which theory focuses on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? - Answer Cognitive
theory
, Cognitive theory: why do we spend so little time on intrinsically valuable tasks? - Answer
We're more motivated in the long-term for intrinsic tasks, however offering rewards for desired
behaviour may cause intrinsic motivation to decline and extrinsic motivation to increase.
Which motivational theories apply to hunger? (4 out of 6) - Answer Instinct: we need to eat,
it isn't learned behaviour
Drive reduction: hunger is a negative feedback loop until I'm full
Maslow: I have to fulfill the basic lower needs first
Cognitive: I'd rather eat a burger even if a salad is more nutritious, I can eat when I'm bored
even if I'm not hungry
Motivation and the Need for Food: Why are other species far less likely to be obese? - Answer
Various internal mechanisms tell organisms when to stop eating. Many species choose a well-
balanced diet despite offered a variety of food.
Motivation and the Need for Food: Weight set point theory - Answer the weight level that a
person is predisposed to maintain, controlled in part by the hypothalamus
Motivation and the Need for Food: hypothalamus hypothesis - Answer Changes in blood
sugar levels are monitored by the hypothalamus. Injury to the hypothalamus affects weight set
point.
Motivation and the Need for Food: What are some examples of social factors in eating? (5
examples) - Answer - Portion distortion. North American portions are too big.
- We eat on a schedule (e.g, lunch, dinner), even if we're not hungry.
- We put roughly the same amount of food on our plates every day regardless of activity level.
- We eat for comfort when we're bored or sad.
- We eat mindlessly, often while doing other things.
Motivation and obesity: settling point - Answer a point at which a person's weight stabilizes,
determined by genes and the environment.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: name the 5 levels from bottom to top. - Answer (level 1)
Physiological Needs, (level 2) Safety and Security, (level 3) Relationships, Love and Affection,
(level 4) Self Esteem, (level 5) Self Actualization
Motivation: What is a drawback to incentive theory? - Answer We sometimes seek to fulfill
needs even when incentives are not apparent
Actual Answers 2026 Updated.
What are the 6 major approaches for motivation? - Answer Instinct, drive-reduction, arousal,
incentive, cognitive, Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Motivation: instinct - Answer unlearned patterns of responding, innate behaviors for survival
Motivation: what are 3 things that instinct theory can't explain? - Answer 1) there isn't
consensus on how many primary instincts exist
2) doesn't clearly explain why behavior patterns are in one species but not another
3) human behavior isn't entirely instinctual because of complexity and variety.
Motivation: Drive Reduction - Answer - motivational (aroused) states that result from unmet
physical needs
- drives are created to maintain a balanced physiological state (homeostasis)
- e.g. hunger drive (as hunger increases, so does drive to eat)
Drive reduction: primary drive (give examples) - Answer drives related to the biological needs
or the needs of the species as a whole, e.g. hunger, sleep
Drive reduction: secondary drive (give examples) - Answer drives that prior experience and
learning bring, e.g. knowledge, achievement, finances
Instinct theory: baby reflexes - Answer reflexes are unlearned, involuntary responses that
happen when certain stimuli appear.
Name 5 baby reflexes - Answer Rooting reflex, sucking reflex, gag reflex, startle reflex,
Babinski reflex
Baby reflexes: Babinski - Answer toes fan out when sole of foot is touched
Baby Reflexes: Rooting - Answer babies turn their heads towards things that touch their
cheeks, e.g. nipple or bottle
Baby Reflexes: sucking - Answer sucking at things that touch their lips
,Baby reflexes: gag reflex - Answer clearing the throat
Baby reflexes: startle reflex (3 parts) - Answer series of movements where baby flings out the
arms, fans, fingers, arches back in response to sudden noise
Motivation: how is drive reduction a form of negative feedback? - Answer Unmet biological
needs are "negative" feedback, discomfort (hunger) occurs until need is met.
Motivation: what is drive-reduction theory good at explaining? - Answer Attempts to fill the
theoretical gap with instinct theory. Good explanation of how primary drives motivate
behaviour.
Motivation: what is something that drive reduction theory can't explain? (give example) -
Answer Can't fully explain a behaviour in which the goal is not to reduce a drive, but rather to
maintain or even increase the level of excitement or arousal, e.g. liking rollercoasters
Motivation: Arousal - Answer People are motivated to maintain a level of arousal optimal for
their functioning.
Motivation: what is the role of homeostasis in Arousal theory? - Answer Homeostasis brings
body functions back to normal using feedback loops. If our stimulation levels become too high,
we try to reduce them. If the levels of stimulation are too low, we will try to increase them by
seeking stimulation.
Motivation: what is the relationship between arousal level and performance? Give examples. -
Answer Increased arousal can help improve performance, but only up to a certain point. At
the point when arousal becomes excessive, performance diminishes.
Example: An optimal level of stress can motivate you to study, but too much test anxiety can
impair your ability to concentrate.
Motivation: Incentive theory - Answer Motivation comes from desire for external rewards.
This directs and energize behaviour (grades, money, love), even if we lack internal biological
cues (see instinct theory or drive reduction theory)
Motivation: Cognitive Theory - Answer Motivation is a product of people's thoughts,
expectations, and goals—their cognitions. Distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic
motivation.
Motivation: which theory focuses on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? - Answer Cognitive
theory
, Cognitive theory: why do we spend so little time on intrinsically valuable tasks? - Answer
We're more motivated in the long-term for intrinsic tasks, however offering rewards for desired
behaviour may cause intrinsic motivation to decline and extrinsic motivation to increase.
Which motivational theories apply to hunger? (4 out of 6) - Answer Instinct: we need to eat,
it isn't learned behaviour
Drive reduction: hunger is a negative feedback loop until I'm full
Maslow: I have to fulfill the basic lower needs first
Cognitive: I'd rather eat a burger even if a salad is more nutritious, I can eat when I'm bored
even if I'm not hungry
Motivation and the Need for Food: Why are other species far less likely to be obese? - Answer
Various internal mechanisms tell organisms when to stop eating. Many species choose a well-
balanced diet despite offered a variety of food.
Motivation and the Need for Food: Weight set point theory - Answer the weight level that a
person is predisposed to maintain, controlled in part by the hypothalamus
Motivation and the Need for Food: hypothalamus hypothesis - Answer Changes in blood
sugar levels are monitored by the hypothalamus. Injury to the hypothalamus affects weight set
point.
Motivation and the Need for Food: What are some examples of social factors in eating? (5
examples) - Answer - Portion distortion. North American portions are too big.
- We eat on a schedule (e.g, lunch, dinner), even if we're not hungry.
- We put roughly the same amount of food on our plates every day regardless of activity level.
- We eat for comfort when we're bored or sad.
- We eat mindlessly, often while doing other things.
Motivation and obesity: settling point - Answer a point at which a person's weight stabilizes,
determined by genes and the environment.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: name the 5 levels from bottom to top. - Answer (level 1)
Physiological Needs, (level 2) Safety and Security, (level 3) Relationships, Love and Affection,
(level 4) Self Esteem, (level 5) Self Actualization
Motivation: What is a drawback to incentive theory? - Answer We sometimes seek to fulfill
needs even when incentives are not apparent
