Phychology - Chapter 12 - terms

Motivation -- an inferred process within a person or animal that causes movement either toward a goal or away from an unpleasant situation
intrinsic motivation -- the pursuit of an activity for its own sake
extrinsic motivation -- the pursuit of an activity for external rewards, such as money or fame
set point -- the genetically influenced weight range for an individual, maintained by biological mechanisms that regulate food intake, fat reserves, and metabolism
sexual scripts -- sets of implicit rules that specify proper sexual behavior for a person in a given situation, varying with the persons age, culture, and gender
need for achievement -- a learned motive to meet personal standards of success and excellence in a chosen area
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) - a projective test that asks respondents to interpret a series of drawings showing scenes of people; usually scored for unconscious motives, such as the need for achievement, power, or affiliation
approach goals -- goals framed in terms of desired outcomes or experiences, such as learning to scuba dive
avoidance goals -- goals framed in terms of avoiding unpleasant experiences, such as trying not to look foolish in public
performance goals -- goals framed in terms of performing well in front of others, being judged favorably, and avoiding criticism
mastery goals -- goals framed in terms of increasing one's competence and skills
self-fulfilling prophecy -- an expectation that comes true because of the tendency of the person holding it to act in ways that bring about
self-efficacy -- a person's belief that he or she is capable of producing desired results, such as mastering new skills and reaching goals