Psychological Factors in Hunger Motivation

HUNGER MOTIVATION Biological Basis of Hunger The hypothalamus monitors and helps to control body chemistry and makes us feel hungry when we need to eat. When the Lateral hypothalamus is stimulated, it causes an animal to eat. When it is destroyed, an animal will starve to death if not forced to eat. Also, when the ventromedial hypothalamus is stimulated, it will cause an animal to stop eating. If it is destroyed, the animal will eat more and gain weight. These two areas oppose each other and send impulses to eat and stop eating at appropriate times. Set-Point Theory: States that the hypothalamus wants to maintain a certain optimum body weight. When we drop below that weight, the hypothalamus tells us we should eat and lowers our metabolic rate. Psychological Factors in Hunger Motivation Externals: A person motivated to eat by external food cues, such as attractiveness and availability of food. Internals: A person who is motivated to eat by internal hunger cues. We are most likely to find foods we are raised with more appetizing. We usually prefer foods our family, region, and culture prefer. Eating Disorders The following are the three most common eating disorders:  Bulimia: Bulimics eat large amounts of food (binging) and then get rid of the food (purging) by vomiting, exercise, etc. Bulimics are obsessed with food and their weight. The majority or bulimics are women.  Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexics starve themselves below 85% of their normal body weight and refuse to eat. The vast majority of anorexics are women.  Obesity: People who are obese are severely overweight and the excess weight threatens their health. Some people may be genetically predisposed to obesity. SEXUAL MOTIVATION Sexual Response Cycle William Masters and Virginia Johnson documented the sexual response cycle in men and women. Our sexual response cycle goes through four stages: 1. Initial Excitement: Genital areas become engorged with blood, penis becomes erect, clitoris swells, respiration and heart rate increase. 2. Plateau Phase: Respiration and heart rate continue at an elevated level. 3. Orgasm: Rhythmic genital contractions, males ejaculate. 4. Resolution Phase: Respiration and heart rate return to normal resting states, men experience refractory period. Psychological Factors in Sexual Motivation Sexual desires can be present even after the ability to have sex is lost, proving that these desires are psychological. Sexual Orientation Studies show that homosexuality is not related to traumatic childhood experiences, parenting styles, relationships with parents, masculinity or femininity, or homosexual parents. Research indicates that specific parts of the brain differ in size in homosexuals and twin studies indicate that if one is homosexual, the changes of the other one being homosexual are high. SOCIAL MOTIVATION Achievement Motivation Achievement motivation examines our desires to master complex tasks and knowledge and reach personal goals. Studies that measure achievement motivation do indicate a higher than average achievement motivation in some people. Extrinsic/Intrinsic Motivation Extrinsic Motivation: Rewards we get for accomplishments from outside ourselves. Intrinsic Motivation: Rewards we get internally, such as enjoyment or satisfaction. Studies show that extrinsic motivations are advantageous for a short period of time but intrinsic motivations are more advantageous altogether.