AP Psychology Flashcards: Motivation
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 21 cards to help you master important concepts.
Besides eating, what is another key motivator of human behavior and mental processes?
The need for belongingness is another key factor that motivates human behavior and mental processes.
Card 1 of 21
All Flashcards (21)
Besides eating, what is another key motivator of human behavior and mental processes?
The need for belongingness is another key factor that motivates human behavior and mental processes.
A student studies hard simply because they love learning the subject. According to Self-Determination Theory, what type of motivation is this?
This is an example of intrinsic motivation, as the drive to study comes from personal satisfaction and interest.
What is the function of the hormone leptin?
Leptin is a hormone that regulates feelings of satiety, signaling the brain that you are full.
Compare the roles of ghrelin and leptin in regulating eating.
Ghrelin is the 'go' signal for eating as it stimulates hunger, while leptin is the 'stop' signal as it promotes feelings of satiety or fullness.
How do motivation theories help us understand behavior and mental processes?
Motivation theories provide frameworks for explaining why we initiate, direct, and sustain certain behaviors and mental activities.
Describe an 'avoidance-avoidance' conflict.
An avoidance-avoidance conflict occurs when a person must choose between two equally undesirable or unattractive options.
What is Sensation-Seeking Theory?
This theory proposes that the motivation for certain behaviors is based on the need for varied, new, or novel experiences.
Identify two external factors that can influence eating behavior.
External factors that influence eating include the mere presence of food, the time of day, or being in a social gathering.
What is the primary focus of motivation theories like drive-reduction and arousal theory?
These theories focus on how we are motivated to address and satisfy physical needs and desires.
What is the function of the hormone ghrelin?
Ghrelin is a hormone that regulates feelings of hunger, signaling the brain when it is time to eat.
How does the role of instincts in motivation differ between humans and many non-human animals?
Instincts are a primary motivator for many non-human animals, but they do not seem to be a primary motivator for humans.
Describe an 'approach-avoidance' conflict.
An approach-avoidance conflict occurs when a single goal has both positive (approach) and negative (avoidance) aspects.
What two types of processes interact to make eating a complex motivated behavior?
Eating is a complex behavior that involves the interaction of both physical processes (like hormones) and mental processes (like thoughts and feelings).
Distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic motivation is the desire to perform a behavior for its own sake, while extrinsic motivation is the desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment.
Describe an 'approach-approach' conflict.
An approach-approach conflict occurs when a person must choose between two equally desirable or attractive goals.
Even though you are not physically hungry, you eat a piece of cake at a friend's birthday party. What is motivating this behavior?
This eating behavior is motivated by external factors, such as the social gathering and the presence of appealing food.
What is Self-Determination Theory?
This theory proposes that people are motivated by either intrinsic factors (from within) or extrinsic factors (from the outside).
You want to go to a party because it will be fun, but you don't want to go because you have a big test the next day. What type of conflict is this?
This is an approach-avoidance conflict, as the party has both a desirable aspect (fun) and an undesirable one (interfering with studying).
What is Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts Theory?
This theory suggests that when faced with choices, individuals experience motivational conflicts that must be resolved.
A person has to choose between doing a tedious homework assignment and cleaning their messy room. What type of motivational conflict is this?
This is an avoidance-avoidance conflict, as the person must choose between two equally undesirable options.
A person decides to go rock climbing for the first time. Which motivation theory best explains this desire for a new and stimulating experience?
Sensation-seeking theory best explains this, as it proposes that the need for varied or novel experiences is a basis of motivation.